Phlebotomy Flashcards
7 cards from real ASCP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Phlebotomy flashcards as text
What is the recommended angle of needle insertion during routine venipuncture?
Answer: 15–30 degrees
A 15–30 degree angle allows the needle to enter the vein lumen without penetrating the posterior wall.
Which vein is the preferred site for routine venipuncture in the antecubital fossa?
Answer: Median cubital vein
The median cubital vein is preferred because it is large, well-anchored, and least likely to roll or be painful.
How long should a tourniquet remain applied during venipuncture to avoid hemoconcentration?
Answer: Less than 1 minute
Prolonged tourniquet use beyond 1 minute causes venous stasis and hemoconcentration, falsely elevating analytes such as proteins and potassium.
What is the correct order of draw when collecting multiple tubes via a single venipuncture?
Answer: Blood cultures → citrate → serum/SST → heparin → EDTA → fluoride
The CLSI-recommended order of draw minimizes additive carryover: blood cultures first (sterility), then citrate, serum, heparin, EDTA, and fluoride/oxalate.
Which antiseptic is routinely used to cleanse the venipuncture site before needle insertion?
Answer: 70% isopropyl alcohol
70% isopropyl alcohol is the standard site antiseptic for routine venipuncture and must be allowed to air-dry before needle insertion.
Which antiseptic must NOT be used when collecting blood for a blood alcohol (ethanol) level?
Answer: Isopropyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol can contaminate the specimen and interfere with ethanol assay results; a non-alcohol antiseptic such as povidone-iodine should be used instead.
What is the most common complication of venipuncture?
Answer: Hematoma formation
Hematoma formation is the most common venipuncture complication, resulting from blood leaking into the surrounding tissue when the needle penetrates the vein wall.