Safety and Compliance 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 Safety and Compliance flashcards as text
A phlebotomist recaps a needle using one hand to avoid needlestick injury. This technique is permitted under which circumstances?
Answer: Only when a safety device is unavailable and one-hand scoop method is used
OSHA prohibits two-handed recapping; the one-hand scoop method is acceptable only as an exception when no safer alternative exists.
Which body fluid is NOT covered under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard for routine precautions?
Answer: Sweat
Sweat is not considered a potentially infectious material under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard unless it is visibly contaminated with blood.
Which ergonomic measure best reduces repetitive strain injury risk for phlebotomists?
Answer: Rotating tasks and taking micro-breaks to reduce repetitive motion
Task rotation and scheduled micro-breaks reduce cumulative repetitive strain by allowing muscle recovery.
What does the term 'chain of custody' mean in phlebotomy?
Answer: A documented, unbroken record tracking specimen handling from collection to result reporting
Chain of custody is a documented process ensuring specimen integrity and accountability at every step from collection through analysis.
A patient arrives for a draw and appears confused and cannot state their name. What is the BEST patient identification approach?
Answer: Ask a family member or nurse to verify identity using the patient's ID band
For patients unable to self-identify, a family member or nurse should verify identity using at least two identifiers, including the ID band.
Which of the following is considered an engineering control under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?
Answer: Using a needle with a retractable safety shield
Engineering controls are physical or mechanical devices — such as safety-engineered needles — that isolate or remove bloodborne pathogen hazards.
What is the MINIMUM number of patient identifiers required before performing a blood draw, per The Joint Commission standards?
Answer: Two (e.g., name and date of birth)
The Joint Commission requires at least two patient identifiers (such as name and date of birth) before any specimen collection.