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Phlebotomy Flashcards

7 cards from real PCT 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

  1. A PCT is asked to collect a timed specimen labeled '2-hour postprandial glucose.' What must be documented on the label?

    Answer: Exact time of collection and time the meal was started or completed

    Timed specimens require collection time and meal reference time so the laboratory can verify the specimen was collected at the correct interval.

  2. Which antiseptic is required when collecting a blood culture specimen?

    Answer: Povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine gluconate after an alcohol scrub

    Blood cultures require a two-step antiseptic process using alcohol followed by chlorhexidine or iodine to minimize skin-organism contamination.

  3. A sharps container should be replaced when it is:

    Answer: Three-quarters (75%) full

    Containers are sealed and replaced at three-quarters capacity to prevent overfilling, which creates needlestick risk when disposing additional sharps.

  4. When a needle accidentally punctures the phlebotomist's skin, the FIRST action is to:

    Answer: Immediately wash the area with soap and water

    Immediate washing with soap and water is the first response to a needlestick, removing potential pathogens before further steps are taken.

  5. Which federal agency sets regulations specifically governing occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the United States?

    Answer: OSHA

    OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) mandates exposure control plans, PPE, and hepatitis B vaccination for at-risk workers.

  6. A specimen requiring protection from light (e.g., bilirubin) should be:

    Answer: Wrapped in aluminum foil or placed in an amber transport bag

    Bilirubin and other photosensitive analytes degrade rapidly under fluorescent or UV light; opaque wrapping prevents breakdown.

  7. A patient's armband ID does not match the requisition label. The PCT should:

    Answer: Refuse to collect the specimen until the discrepancy is resolved

    Patient identification errors are a leading cause of transfusion fatalities and diagnostic mistakes; collection must stop until identity is confirmed.