Deck 3: Specimen Collection

Question 1

At what temperature should blood samples be transported?

A) At room temperature
B) At 37° C
C) On ice
D) Depends on the test requested

Answer 1

Depends on the test requested

Question 2

What is the preferred site for phlebotomy on an adult?

A) Median cubital vein in the bend of the arm
B) Veins on top of the hand
C) Basilic vein in the bend of the arm
D) Ring finger

Answer 2

Median cubital vein in the bend of the arm

Question 3

What is the correct procedure to follow if the site adjacent to the needle starts to swell profusely?

A) Pull back slightly on the needle.
B) Finish collecting the blood.
C) Reposition the needle.
D) Remove the needle and apply pressure.

Answer 3

Remove the needle and apply pressure.

Question 4

When is the proper time to label a tube of blood?

A) At the bedside immediately before drawing
B) At the bedside immediately after drawing
C) At the nurses' station immediately after drawing
D) Immediately on return to the laboratory

Question 5

What is the preferred collection site on a patient being treated for blood clots who has an intravenous line in each forearm?

A) Antecubital fossa above the intravenous access site
B) Feet
C) Hands
D) Femoral artery

Question 6

What is the best method to use for increasing blood flow for capillary punctures?

A) Apply a warm cloth to the site.
B) Apply ice to the site.
C) Apply a tourniquet just above the intended site.
D) Have the patient jump up and down.

Question 7

What test result is most affected by the absence of patient fasting?

A) Glucose
B) White blood cell (WBC) count
C) Prothrombin time (PT)
D) Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Question 8

What is the best method to use for drying the alcohol from the arm before inserting the needle?

A) Blow on the arm
B) Wipe with gauze
C) Allow the arm to air dry
D) Proceed with the arm wet

Question 9

What is the most important step in the phlebotomy procedure?

A) Getting enough blood for all tests
B) Getting the needle in the vein
C) Proper patient identification
D) Drawing tubes with no anticoagulant before the lavender tube

Question 10

The preanalytic phase of clinical laboratory testing includes all of the following except:

A) Reporting of laboratory testing results
B) Verifying correct patient identification
C) Immediate mixing blood in tubes containing additives
D) Correct entry of patient name and test (or tests) ordered in laboratory information system

Question 11

Which of the following is the most important to prevent the spread of infection?

A) Wearing a buttoned, clean cotton laboratory coat at all times in the laboratory
B) Using antiseptic cleaner to wash the countertops after completion of work
C) Double gloving when performing procedures that have a high likelihood of blood splashing
D) Washing hands vigorously with germicidal soap and water when visible contamination exists, after removing gloves, and before leaving the laboratory

Question 12

What information is not required on a blood tube label?

A) Patient name
B) Patient identification number
C) Phlebotomist initials
D) Physician name

Question 13

What is the correct action to take if the patient refuses to have his or her blood drawn?

A) Leave the room immediately.
B) Politely try to persuade the patient to reconsider.
C) Draw the blood anyway.
D) Tell the patient that he or she must have the test.

Question 14

Hepatitis B virus can survive on a dried surface at room temperature for:

A) 1 Day
B) 2 Days
C) 1 Week
D) 1 Month

Question 15

What anticoagulant agent is used most often in the hematology laboratory?

A) 3.2% Sodium citrate in the purple top
B) EDTA in the purple top
C) 3.2% Sodium citrate in the blue top
D) Heparin in the green top

Question 16

A coagulation screen is ordered on a patient who is a difficult draw. A 5-mL blue top tube is drawn but fills only halfway. What would be the appropriate next step?

A) Draw another half-filled 5-mL blue top tube, and combine the two tubes.
B) Discard the first tube, and attempt to draw a filled 5-mL blue top tube.
C) Draw a red top tube, and add blood to completely fill the blue top tube.
D) Send the half-filled blue top tube to the coagulation laboratory.

Question 17

What is the correct draw order when a complete blood count (CBC) and a PT are ordered?

A) Discard tube, purple top, blue top
B) Blue top, lavender top
C) Lavender top, blue top
D) Green top, lavender top

Question 18

Which of the following would be an acceptable sample?

A) CBC collected in a green top
B) Coagulation tests on a hemolyzed sample
C) CBC drawn on a nonfasting patient
D) CBC drawn above an intravenous access site

Question 19

What is the recommended number of times for one phlebotomist to attempt to draw a patient?

A) One
B) Two
C) Four
D) As many times as necessary to collect the blood

Question 20

Safety requirements for phlebotomy include:

A) Wearing gloves
B) Wearing a face shield
C) Recapping the needle immediately after removal from the arm
D) Discarding blood contaminated gauze in the nearest wastebasket

Question 21

Skin puncture on a newborn should preferably be performed on the:

A) Palmer side of the thumb
B) Palmer side of the index finger
C) Bottom side of the big toe
D) Lateral or medial surface of the bottom of the heel

Question 22

Venipuncture needles, after use, must be disposed of in a:

A) Biohazard bag
B) Laboratory wastebasket
C) Biohazard sharps container
D) All of the above are acceptable.

Question 23

Isopropyl alcohol (70%) is commonly used for cleansing the venipuncture site before phlebotomy. The motion that should be used in cleansing is:

A) Beginning at the outer edge away from the intended site of needle entry, use concentric circles and gradually work in to the center.
B) Using random motion, scrub over and around the intended site of needle entry for 1 full minute.
C) Beginning at the intended site of needle entry, work in concentric circles away from the site.
D) Using random motion, lightly wipe over the intended site for 2 full minutes.