Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Anatomy and Physiology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which vein is most commonly used as the first choice for venipuncture in the antecubital area?
- Cephalic vein
- Median cubital vein (Correct answer)
- Basilic vein
- Brachial vein
Correct answer: Median cubital vein
The median cubital vein is the preferred first choice because it is large, well-anchored, and least likely to roll or bruise during venipuncture.
Question 2: What is the correct order of blood vessel wall layers from outermost to innermost?
- Tunica intima, tunica media, tunica adventitia
- Tunica adventitia, tunica media, tunica intima (Correct answer)
- Tunica media, tunica intima, tunica adventitia
- Tunica intima, tunica adventitia, tunica media
Correct answer: Tunica adventitia, tunica media, tunica intima
Blood vessel walls consist of three concentric layers: the outermost tunica adventitia (connective tissue), the middle tunica media (smooth muscle), and the innermost tunica intima (endothelium).
Question 3: Which type of blood vessel carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to body tissues?
- Veins
- Capillaries
- Arteries (Correct answer)
- Venules
Correct answer: Arteries
Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to peripheral tissues, with the notable exception of the pulmonary arteries which carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Question 4: The antecubital fossa, the primary venipuncture site, is located at which anatomical region?
- Inner wrist
- Back of the hand
- Inner elbow (Correct answer)
- Upper arm
Correct answer: Inner elbow
The antecubital fossa is the shallow triangular depression located on the anterior (front) surface of the elbow, where the major veins used for routine venipuncture are found.
Question 5: Which of the following is NOT a component of blood?
- Platelets
- Plasma
- Neurons (Correct answer)
- Red blood cells
Correct answer: Neurons
Neurons are specialized nerve cells belonging to the nervous system and are not found in blood; the four main blood components are plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Question 6: Approximately what percentage of total blood volume is composed of plasma?
- 35–40%
- 45–50%
- 55–60% (Correct answer)
- 65–70%
Correct answer: 55–60%
Plasma accounts for approximately 55% of total blood volume; the remaining 45% consists of formed elements including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Question 7: Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood into the systemic circulation?
- Right atrium
- Right ventricle
- Left atrium
- Left ventricle (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Left ventricle
The left ventricle receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium and pumps it into the aorta, initiating systemic circulation to deliver oxygen to body tissues.
Which vein is most commonly used as the first choice for venipuncture in the antecubital area?