CCMA Phlebotomy Procedures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient's veins are difficult to locate. Which technique can help make veins more visible before venipuncture?
- Applying ice to the arm for 2 minutes
- Asking the patient to rapidly pump their fist repeatedly
- Warming the site with a warm compress (Correct answer)
- Having the patient hyperventilate
Correct answer: Warming the site with a warm compress
Applying a warm compress promotes vasodilation, which increases blood flow and makes veins easier to palpate and visualize.
Question 2: In the order of draw using evacuated tubes, which tube is collected THIRD?
- Light blue (sodium citrate)
- Gold/SST (clot activator) (Correct answer)
- Lavender (EDTA)
- Green (heparin)
Correct answer: Gold/SST (clot activator)
After blood culture and light blue tubes, the gold/SST tube is collected third in the standard order of draw.
Question 3: Which of the following is a sign of arterial rather than venous puncture during a blood draw?
- Slow blood flow into the tube
- Dark red color of the blood
- Pulsating blood flow (Correct answer)
- Vein collapses easily
Correct answer: Pulsating blood flow
Arterial blood is under higher pressure and will pulsate into the tube, unlike venous blood which flows steadily.
Question 4: What is the maximum time a tourniquet should remain applied before venipuncture to avoid hemoconcentration?
- 30 seconds
- 1 minute (Correct answer)
- 2 minutes
- 5 minutes
Correct answer: 1 minute
A tourniquet should not remain in place for more than 1 minute to prevent hemoconcentration and falsely elevated analyte results.
Question 5: A specimen is hemolyzed upon inspection. Which analyte result is MOST likely to be falsely elevated?
- Sodium
- Potassium (Correct answer)
- Glucose
- Creatinine
Correct answer: Potassium
Potassium is highly concentrated inside red blood cells, so hemolysis releases intracellular potassium and falsely elevates serum potassium levels.
Question 6: Which gauge needle is most commonly used for routine adult venipuncture?
- 18 gauge
- 21 gauge (Correct answer)
- 25 gauge
- 27 gauge
Correct answer: 21 gauge
A 21-gauge needle is the standard for routine adult venipuncture, balancing patient comfort with adequate blood flow.
Question 7: After a successful blood draw, how long should a patient be instructed to apply pressure to the venipuncture site?
- 15–30 seconds
- 1–2 minutes (Correct answer)
- 3–5 minutes
- 10 minutes
Correct answer: 1–2 minutes
Applying pressure for 1–2 minutes is typically sufficient to achieve hemostasis at a venipuncture site in most patients.
CCMA Phlebotomy Procedures 5
A patient's veins are difficult to locate.
Which technique can help make veins more visible before venipuncture?