Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Anatomy and Physiology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The cephalic vein runs along which side of the forearm and is considered the second choice for venipuncture?
- Medial (inner/pinky) side
- Lateral (outer/thumb) side (Correct answer)
- Posterior (back) side
- Anterior midline only
Correct answer: Lateral (outer/thumb) side
The cephalic vein runs along the lateral (radial/thumb) side of the forearm and upper arm, making it accessible and the second preferred venipuncture site after the median cubital.
Question 2: What is the primary function of erythrocytes (red blood cells)?
- Fighting bacterial infections
- Initiating blood clot formation
- Transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide (Correct answer)
- Producing clotting factors
Correct answer: Transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide
Erythrocytes contain hemoglobin, which binds oxygen in the lungs and releases it to body tissues, while also transporting carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation.
Question 3: Which artery is the preferred site for arterial blood gas (ABG) collection due to good collateral circulation?
- Brachial artery
- Femoral artery
- Radial artery (Correct answer)
- Ulnar artery
Correct answer: Radial artery
The radial artery at the wrist is the first choice for ABG collection because it is superficial, easily palpated, and the ulnar artery provides collateral circulation if the radial artery is compromised.
Question 4: Which blood component is primarily responsible for hemostasis by forming a platelet plug at the site of vessel injury?
- Erythrocytes
- Leukocytes
- Thrombocytes (platelets) (Correct answer)
- Albumin
Correct answer: Thrombocytes (platelets)
Thrombocytes (platelets) are small, anucleate cell fragments that adhere to damaged vessel walls and aggregate to form a platelet plug, initiating the primary stage of hemostasis.
Question 5: What is the normal adult male reference range for red blood cell (RBC) count?
- 2.5–3.5 million/µL
- 3.5–4.5 million/µL
- 4.5–5.5 million/µL (Correct answer)
- 5.5–6.5 million/µL
Correct answer: 4.5–5.5 million/µL
The normal adult male RBC count ranges from approximately 4.5 to 5.5 million cells per microliter, slightly higher than the female reference range of 4.0–5.0 million/µL.
Question 6: The basilic vein is the third choice for routine venipuncture and is located on which side of the arm?
- Lateral (outer/thumb) side
- Posterior (back) side
- Medial (inner/pinky) side (Correct answer)
- Dorsal wrist only
Correct answer: Medial (inner/pinky) side
The basilic vein runs along the medial (ulnar/pinky) side of the forearm and is the third choice for venipuncture because it lies in close proximity to the brachial artery and median nerve, increasing risk of injury.
Question 7: What is the primary function of leukocytes (white blood cells)?
- Oxygen transport throughout the body
- Blood clot initiation and repair
- Immune defense against pathogens and foreign substances (Correct answer)
- Nutrient delivery to peripheral tissues
Correct answer: Immune defense against pathogens and foreign substances
Leukocytes are the cellular components of the immune system, identifying and destroying pathogens, foreign particles, and abnormal cells to protect the body from disease.
Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Anatomy and Physiology 2
The cephalic vein runs along which side of the forearm and is considered the second choice for venipuncture?