NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)Patient PreparationEasy
Before performing venipuncture, a phlebotomy technician should ask the patient about allergies to which of the following substances?
- AAnticoagulants, iodine, and latex.
- BLatex, iodine, and local anesthetics.
- CAdhesive tape, alcohol, and penicillin.
- DLatex, adhesive, and antiseptic solutions.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Latex, adhesive, and antiseptic solutions.
Common allergies relevant to venipuncture include latex (gloves, tourniquets), adhesive (bandages), and antiseptic solutions (alcohol, iodine, chlorhexidine). Penicillin and local anesthetics are generally not directly used in routine venipuncture by phlebotomists, and anticoagulants are in tubes, not typically applied topically.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Anticoagulants are in the tubes, not a topical allergen; iodine is an antiseptic, but 'anticoagulants' makes this option less accurate than C.
- B. Local anesthetics are rarely used by phlebotomists for routine draws.
- C. Penicillin is a medication, not a common venipuncture material to which allergies are assessed.
Venipuncture Allergies
Allergies to materials used during venipuncture that can cause adverse reactions.
- Common allergens: latex, adhesives, antiseptics.
- Must be identified before procedure.
- Requires alternative materials if allergies are present.
Memory trick: Gloves, stick, and clean - check for allergies, keep it keen!