General Practice Flashcards
7 cards from real Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 General Practice flashcards as text
A patient's arm shows a hematoma at a previous venipuncture site. What is the best action?
Answer: Select a different vein, avoiding the hematoma area
Drawing through or near a hematoma can cause specimen contamination and increased patient discomfort.
Which additive in a lavender (EDTA) tube preserves blood cells for a CBC?
Answer: EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
EDTA chelates calcium to prevent clotting and preserves cellular morphology for complete blood count testing.
What is the maximum recommended tourniquet application time before venipuncture?
Answer: 1 minute
Tourniquet application beyond one minute causes hemoconcentration, which can falsely elevate some analyte results.
When labeling a blood specimen at bedside, when should labels be applied?
Answer: Immediately after collection while still at the patient's side
Labeling at bedside immediately after collection prevents specimen mix-ups and is required by patient safety standards.
A gray-top tube contains sodium fluoride. What test is it primarily used for?
Answer: Glucose and lactate testing
Sodium fluoride inhibits glycolysis, preserving glucose levels in the specimen for accurate glucose and lactate testing.
Which vein is considered the first choice for routine venipuncture in adults?
Answer: Median cubital vein
The median cubital vein is the preferred site because it is large, well-anchored, and poses minimal risk to adjacent nerves and arteries.
If a patient is receiving IV fluids in the left arm, where should venipuncture be performed?
Answer: In the right arm
IV fluids dilute blood and alter analyte concentrations, so the opposite arm must be used to obtain accurate results.