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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Phlebotomy Questions and Answers PDF: Quiz and Study Guide

Quick, free phlebotomy MCQs to check your knowledge. Instant answers.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Yatin AgarwalUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for phlebotomy MCQ quiz and study guide PDF on coral background

This phlebotomy quiz helps you check your skills with clear questions and answers, plus a handy study guide PDF you can review offline. Practice safety rules, order of draw, and venipuncture steps, then keep going with our free phlebotomy practice test, prepare with an NHA phlebotomy practice test, and sharpen vocabulary in a phlebotomy prefixes quiz.

What is the primary purpose of applying a tourniquet during venipuncture?
To prevent blood from clotting in the syringe
To increase arterial blood flow
To sterilize the puncture site
To slow venous blood flow and make veins more prominent
A tourniquet temporarily impedes venous return, causing veins to become distended and easier to locate for phlebotomy. It does not affect arterial flow significantly and is not used for sterilization or anticoagulation. Proper application is crucial to avoid hemoconcentration.
Which additive is present in a lavender-top EDTA tube?
Heparin
Sodium citrate
No additive
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
Lavender-top tubes contain EDTA, an anticoagulant that binds calcium and preserves cellular components for hematology tests. Heparin and sodium citrate are used in green and light blue tubes, respectively. Understanding tube additives ensures accurate test results.
What is the definition of phlebotomy?
The application of external compression to stop bleeding
The injection of medications into muscle tissue
The practice of drawing blood for diagnostic purposes
The removal of body organs during surgery
Phlebotomy refers to the puncture of veins to collect blood for tests, transfusions, or research. It is distinct from surgical organ removal or medication injections. Proper technique ensures patient safety and sample integrity.
Which needle gauge represents the largest bore?
18 gauge
21 gauge
23 gauge
25 gauge
Needle gauge sizes are inversely related to bore diameter: the lower the gauge number, the larger the bore. An 18-gauge needle has a larger lumen than 21-, 23-, or 25-gauge needles. Larger bores are used for blood donation and high-flow infusions.
What is the recommended minimum duration for hand hygiene with an alcohol-based rub?
10 seconds
20 seconds
30 seconds
15 seconds
The CDC recommends at least 20 seconds of hand rubbing with an alcohol-based formulation to ensure broad antimicrobial effect. Shorter durations may not adequately remove or kill pathogens. Proper hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
What is the correct order of draw for multiple-tube blood collection after blood culture bottles?
Lavender, red, green, light blue
Red, light blue, green, lavender
Green, lavender, red, light blue
Light blue, red, green, lavender
After blood cultures, the recommended order is light blue (coagulation studies), red (serum), green (heparin), and lavender (hematology) to prevent additive carryover. CLSI standards govern this sequence to ensure sample integrity. Disruption of order can lead to test inaccuracies.
Which needle gauge is most commonly recommended for pediatric 'butterfly' collections?
23 gauge
21 gauge
27 gauge
25 gauge
A 23-gauge butterfly needle balances patient comfort with adequate flow for pediatric collections. Larger gauges may be painful, and smaller gauges can cause hemolysis. Technique choice depends on patient age, vein size, and test requirements.
Why is 70% isopropyl alcohol used to cleanse the venipuncture site?
To act as a lubricant for needle insertion
To kill transient skin flora and reduce infection risk
To seal the skin pores
To coagulate surface capillaries
Alcohol at 70% concentration effectively penetrates cell walls and denatures proteins of skin flora, reducing contamination risk. Higher or lower concentrations are less effective at microbial kill. Proper drying time is also crucial before venipuncture.
What is the optimal angle of needle insertion for routine venipuncture?
5 - 10 degrees
15 - 30 degrees
45 - 60 degrees
30 - 45 degrees
A needle angle of 15 - 30 degrees allows entry into the vein lumen while minimizing the risk of going through the vessel. A shallower angle helps prevent vessel damage and ensures smooth blood flow. Steeper angles increase the chance of puncturing both vein walls.
Where is the median cubital vein located?
In the antecubital fossa of the elbow
On the back of the forearm
Inside the wrist crease
On the dorsal surface of the hand
The median cubital vein spans the antecubital fossa, connecting the cephalic and basilic veins, and is usually the first choice for venipuncture due to its size and stability. Alternative sites are used only if this vein is inaccessible. Proper identification reduces patient discomfort.
Which practice is most likely to cause hemolysis of a blood sample?
Allowing the tube to remain upright for several minutes
Vigorously shaking the blood tube after collection
Applying gentle inversion to mix additives
Using a properly sized needle without force
Vigorous shaking can rupture red blood cells, leading to hemolysis and erroneous laboratory values. Gentle inversion (5 - 10 times) is recommended to mix additives. Avoiding forceful expulsion through small-bore needles also helps prevent cell damage.
If a patient shows signs of syncope during a draw, what is the first step the phlebotomist should take?
Encourage the patient to breathe rapidly
Apply a cold compress to the forehead
Elevate the patient's feet and legs immediately
Stop the draw and remove the needle and tourniquet
If syncope is suspected, the immediate priority is to remove the needle and tourniquet to prevent injury or continued bleeding. Once the needle is removed, the patient should be positioned safely, often lying down. Subsequent steps can include monitoring vital signs and providing reassurance.
What is the additive in a light blue-top tube, and what is its primary function?
Sodium citrate to chelate calcium and prevent coagulation
EDTA to preserve blood cell morphology
Oxalate to stabilize glucose levels
Heparin to accelerate clotting time
Light blue tubes contain sodium citrate, which binds calcium ions to inhibit coagulation for coagulation testing. Precise fill volume is critical for accurate test ratios. EDTA and heparin serve different functions in other tubes.
Which federal regulation specifically addresses patient confidentiality in medical records?
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)
HIPAA sets the national standards for protecting patients' medical information and ensuring confidentiality. CLIA regulates lab testing quality, OSHA covers workplace safety, and FDA oversees medical devices and drugs. Compliance with HIPAA is essential in phlebotomy.
What is the typical centrifugation time to separate serum from blood cells for routine chemistry tests?
30 minutes at low speed
1 minute at high speed
10 minutes at recommended speed
5 minutes at maximum speed
Most chemistry laboratories recommend centrifuging serum tubes for about 10 minutes at the manufacturer's specified speed (often ~3,000 rpm). This ensures complete separation without hemolysis. Times that are too short or too long can compromise sample quality.
What is the required blood-to-anticoagulant ratio in a light blue-top sodium citrate tube?
8 parts blood to 2 parts anticoagulant
10 parts blood to 1 part anticoagulant
7 parts blood to 3 parts anticoagulant
9 parts blood to 1 part anticoagulant
Light blue-top tubes require a strict 9:1 blood-to-sodium citrate ratio to maintain test accuracy for coagulation assays. Underfilling or overfilling alters clotting time measurements. Proper technique and volume verification are critical.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Core Phlebotomy Concepts -

    Gain familiarity with essential terminology, equipment, and procedures for safe and effective blood collection.

  2. Apply Venipuncture Techniques -

    Demonstrate the proper steps and best practices for needle insertion, site selection, and patient positioning during a blood draw.

  3. Identify the Correct Order of Draw -

    Recognize the sequence of tube collection to prevent cross-contamination and ensure accurate laboratory results.

  4. Analyze Practice MCQs -

    Interpret multiple-choice questions to pinpoint knowledge gaps and reinforce understanding through detailed explanations.

  5. Evaluate Certification Readiness -

    Assess your strengths and weaknesses with instant feedback to determine areas for further study before the phlebotomy exam.

  6. Utilize the Study Guide PDF -

    Navigate and leverage the free phlebotomy study guide questions and answers PDF as a structured resource for ongoing review and practice.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Anatomy of the Circulatory System -

    Understanding vein anatomy - particularly the median cubital, cephalic, and basilic veins - is crucial for successful venipuncture. The CLSI and CDC emphasize palpating the vein's bounce under gentle thumb pressure and avoiding the basilic vein if it's too close to the brachial artery or median nerve. As you review your phlebotomy study guide questions and answers PDF, picture the H-shaped pattern at the elbow crease for consistent vein selection.

  2. Order of Draw -

    Following the correct order of draw prevents additive cross-contamination and ensures accurate test results. Use the mnemonic "Boys Love Ravishing (Red) Girls In Elegant Dresses (Grey)" - Blood cultures, Light blue, Red, Green, Lavender, Gray - to remember tube sequence. Practice with a phlebotomy practice test PDF until you can recite it confidently before each venipuncture.

  3. Specimen Handling & Labeling -

    Immediate, bedside labeling with patient identifiers and collection time is mandated by CLSI GP33 guidelines to reduce pre-analytical errors. Maintain proper storage conditions - ice slurry for lactate or room temperature for chemistry panels - and spin tubes within 2 hours to separate plasma or serum. Reviewing your practice questions in a phlebotomy study guide questions and answers PDF reinforces these time-sensitive steps.

  4. Infection Control & Safety -

    Adhering to Standard Precautions, including use of gloves, masks, and safety-engineered needles, minimizes exposure risks to bloodborne pathogens (CDC, OSHA). Always activate safety shields immediately after draw and discard sharps into a labeled biohazard container. A quick run through a phlebotomy quiz online focusing on PPE scenarios can boost your confidence in the lab.

  5. Patient Interaction & Identification -

    Verifying two patient identifiers - name and date of birth - before every draw is a Joint Commission requirement to prevent misidentification. Clear, friendly communication helps put patients at ease and reduces vasovagal reactions; use simple phrases like "Slowly breathe with me" if faintness occurs. Simulate patient interviews using a phlebotomy questions and answers PDF to refine your bedside manner.

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