Phlebotomy Test National Center for Competency Testing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which NCCT certification is specifically designed for phlebotomy technicians?
- NCCT-PT
- NCPT (Correct answer)
- NCCT-PHL
- NPT
Correct answer: NCPT
The NCCT offers the National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT) credential for phlebotomy professionals.
Question 2: When performing a venipuncture, the tourniquet should be released within how many minutes to prevent hemoconcentration?
- 5 minutes
- 3 minutes
- 1 minute (Correct answer)
- 2 minutes
Correct answer: 1 minute
The tourniquet must be released within 1 minute of application to prevent hemoconcentration and inaccurate lab results.
Question 3: Which gauge needle is most commonly used for routine adult venipuncture?
- 18-gauge
- 25-gauge
- 21-gauge (Correct answer)
- 23-gauge
Correct answer: 21-gauge
21-gauge needles are the standard choice for routine adult venipuncture, balancing patient comfort and adequate blood flow.
Question 4: A phlebotomist notices a patient's arm has a hematoma at the intended venipuncture site. What is the correct action?
- Collect from the hematoma site to save time
- Select an alternate vein distal to the hematoma
- Apply firm pressure and draw immediately
- Select a vein proximal to or away from the hematoma (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Select a vein proximal to or away from the hematoma
Drawing proximal to or away from a hematoma prevents collecting hemolyzed blood and causing further bruising.
Question 5: Which of the following is the correct order of draw for a serum separator tube (SST) followed by an EDTA tube?
- EDTA first, then SST
- SST first, then EDTA (Correct answer)
- Either order is acceptable
- EDTA only; SST is obsolete
Correct answer: SST first, then EDTA
The SST (gold/red-gray top) is drawn before EDTA (lavender top) to prevent anticoagulant carryover that could affect coagulation studies.
Question 6: What does the acronym OSHA stand for in the context of phlebotomy workplace safety?
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Correct answer)
- Office of Specimen Handling and Analysis
- Organizational Standards for Healthcare Administration
- Oversight System for Hospital Accreditation
Correct answer: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA — Occupational Safety and Health Administration — sets and enforces workplace safety standards including bloodborne pathogen regulations.
Question 7: Which antiseptic is used to cleanse the venipuncture site before a routine blood draw?
- Betadine (povidone-iodine)
- 70% isopropyl alcohol (Correct answer)
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Chlorhexidine gluconate
Correct answer: 70% isopropyl alcohol
70% isopropyl alcohol is the standard antiseptic for routine venipuncture site preparation, allowed to air-dry before needle insertion.
Phlebotomy Test National Center for Competency Testing 2
Which NCCT certification is specifically designed for phlebotomy technicians?