PCT Phlebotomy 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A PCT is asked to collect a timed specimen labeled '2-hour postprandial glucose.' What must be documented on the label?
- Patient's last name and MRN only
- Exact time of collection and time the meal was started or completed (Correct answer)
- The type of meal the patient ate
- Whether the patient is diabetic
Correct answer: Exact time of collection and time the meal was started or completed
Timed specimens require collection time and meal reference time so the laboratory can verify the specimen was collected at the correct interval.
Question 2: Which antiseptic is required when collecting a blood culture specimen?
- 70% isopropyl alcohol only
- Povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine gluconate after an alcohol scrub (Correct answer)
- Benzalkonium chloride swab
- Hydrogen peroxide
Correct answer: Povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine gluconate after an alcohol scrub
Blood cultures require a two-step antiseptic process using alcohol followed by chlorhexidine or iodine to minimize skin-organism contamination.
Question 3: A sharps container should be replaced when it is:
- Completely full to the lid
- Three-quarters (75%) full (Correct answer)
- Half full
- At the end of each shift regardless of fill level
Correct answer: Three-quarters (75%) full
Containers are sealed and replaced at three-quarters capacity to prevent overfilling, which creates needlestick risk when disposing additional sharps.
Question 4: When a needle accidentally punctures the phlebotomist's skin, the FIRST action is to:
- Apply a tourniquet to prevent spread
- Immediately wash the area with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Report to the supervisor before doing anything else
- Apply betadine and cover with a bandage
Correct answer: Immediately wash the area with soap and water
Immediate washing with soap and water is the first response to a needlestick, removing potential pathogens before further steps are taken.
Question 5: Which federal agency sets regulations specifically governing occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the United States?
- CDC
- CLSI
- OSHA (Correct answer)
- FDA
Correct answer: OSHA
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) mandates exposure control plans, PPE, and hepatitis B vaccination for at-risk workers.
Question 6: A specimen requiring protection from light (e.g., bilirubin) should be:
- Refrigerated immediately
- Wrapped in aluminum foil or placed in an amber transport bag (Correct answer)
- Centrifuged within 5 minutes
- Collected in a green-top tube only
Correct answer: Wrapped in aluminum foil or placed in an amber transport bag
Bilirubin and other photosensitive analytes degrade rapidly under fluorescent or UV light; opaque wrapping prevents breakdown.
Question 7: A patient's armband ID does not match the requisition label. The PCT should:
- Ask a coworker to verify and proceed
- Cross out the incorrect information and write the correct data
- Refuse to collect the specimen until the discrepancy is resolved (Correct answer)
- Collect the specimen and note the discrepancy on the form
Correct answer: Refuse to collect the specimen until the discrepancy is resolved
Patient identification errors are a leading cause of transfusion fatalities and diagnostic mistakes; collection must stop until identity is confirmed.
PCT Phlebotomy 5
A PCT is asked to collect a timed specimen labeled '2-hour postprandial glucose.' What must be documented on the label?