Phlebotomy Test National Healthcareer Association 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which NHA certification is specifically designed for phlebotomy technicians?
- CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Technician) (Correct answer)
- CMA (Certified Medical Assistant)
- CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant)
- CPB (Certified Professional Biller)
Correct answer: CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Technician)
The NHA awards the CPT credential to phlebotomy technicians who pass the national certification exam.
Question 2: How many continuing education units (CEUs) must NHA-certified phlebotomy technicians complete before renewing their certification?
- 10 CEUs (Correct answer)
- 15 CEUs
- 20 CEUs
- 25 CEUs
Correct answer: 10 CEUs
NHA CPT holders must complete 10 CEUs every two years to maintain their certification.
Question 3: A phlebotomist is asked to collect blood from a patient who speaks only Spanish. What is the BEST first action?
- Obtain a qualified interpreter before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Use hand gestures to communicate the procedure
- Proceed without explanation to save time
- Ask a bilingual visitor in the waiting room
Correct answer: Obtain a qualified interpreter before proceeding
Using a qualified interpreter ensures informed consent and patient safety before any invasive procedure.
Question 4: Which additive in a light-blue (sodium citrate) tube requires a specific blood-to-additive ratio to ensure accurate coagulation results?
- 9:1 blood to additive ratio (Correct answer)
- 1:9 blood to additive ratio
- 5:1 blood to additive ratio
- 1:1 blood to additive ratio
Correct answer: 9:1 blood to additive ratio
Light-blue tops require a 9:1 ratio of blood to sodium citrate to prevent false coagulation test results.
Question 5: During a venipuncture, the patient's vein collapses. Which corrective action should the phlebotomist take FIRST?
- Release the tourniquet and reduce vacuum pressure (Correct answer)
- Insert a new needle at a steeper angle
- Apply more pressure to the insertion site
- Switch immediately to a smaller gauge needle
Correct answer: Release the tourniquet and reduce vacuum pressure
Releasing the tourniquet reduces pressure on the vein wall, allowing it to re-expand so blood can flow again.
Question 6: Which type of specimen is collected for a PKU (phenylketonuria) newborn screening test?
- Capillary blood on filter paper (Correct answer)
- Venous blood in a lavender tube
- Urine midstream sample
- Cerebrospinal fluid
Correct answer: Capillary blood on filter paper
PKU screening uses a heel stick to collect capillary blood spotted onto a Guthrie filter paper card.
Question 7: When drawing blood cultures, the phlebotomist must inoculate which bottle FIRST when using a winged infusion set?
- Aerobic bottle
- Anaerobic bottle (Correct answer)
- Either order is acceptable
- Sodium citrate tube first
Correct answer: Anaerobic bottle
With a winged set, the anaerobic bottle is inoculated first to prevent air from the tubing from entering it and killing anaerobic organisms.
Phlebotomy Test National Healthcareer Association 2
Which NHA certification is specifically designed for phlebotomy technicians?