Deck 43: Assisting in Blood Collection

Question 1

No anticoagulants are found in which of the following tubes?

A) Lavender topped
B) Red topped
C) Green topped
D) Yellow topped

Answer 1

Red topped

Question 2

Which type of tube should be used to collect blood specimens during a glucose tolerance test?

A) Lavender topped
B) Red topped
C) Gray topped
D) Yellow topped

Answer 2

Gray topped

Question 3

A syringe is preferred over a Vacutainer™ collection device when

A) the patient's veins are fragile.
B) the sample must be drawn from the hand veins.
C) many tests have been ordered, and multiple tubes must be drawn.
D) All of the above

Answer 3

the patient's veins are fragile.

Question 4

Which of the following Vacutainer™ tubes is routinely used for hematology testing?

A) Lavender topped
B) Red topped
C) Green topped
D) Light blue topped

Question 5

The needle size most commonly used for adult venipuncture is

A) 16 gauge.
B) 18 gauge.
C) 23 gauge.
D) 20 gauge.

Question 6

Choose the anticoagulant that prevents platelets from clumping and preserves the appearance of blood cells for microscopic preparation, from the list below.

A) Thrombin
B) Sodium heparin
C) Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)
D) Sodium polyanetholsulfonate

Question 7

A tourniquet is used during the phlebotomy procedure to

A) collapse the artery.
B) prevent venous flow out of the site.
C) make the veins in the area more prominent.
D) B and C

Question 8

Leaving a tourniquet tied on a patient's arm for longer than the recommended time results in

A) syncope.
B) hemoconcentration.
C) hematoma formation.
D) bifurcation.

Question 9

Before a routine venipuncture or capillary puncture, the site typically is cleaned with

A) isopropyl alcohol.
B) ethyl alcohol.
C) povidone-iodine solution.
D) soap and water.

Question 10

The slant at the open end of a needle used for venipuncture is called the

A) lumen.
B) bevel.
C) shaft.
D) bore.

Question 11

The laboratory requisition indicates that you are to collect a venous blood specimen for hematology testing, serum chemistry testing, and coagulation studies. What is the proper order of collection for these tubes?

A) Red, light blue, lavender
B) Yellow, red, light blue
C) Light blue, red, lavender
D) Two lavender, one red

Question 12

During a routine venipuncture, when should the phlebotomist request that the patient "make a fist"?

A) After applying the tourniquet and before inserting the needle
B) After the last tube has been drawn
C) After the procedure is finished and the gauze has been applied so that bleeding stops
D) Making a fist is not necessary for a good venipuncture

Question 13

In a routine venipuncture, the angle at which the needle enters the arm should be _____ degrees.

A) 45
B) 30
C) 15
D) None of the above

Question 14

A tourniquet should remain tied on a patient's arm no longer than

A) 1 minute.
B) 2 minutes.
C) 3 minutes.
D) 5 minutes.

Question 15

The part of the venipuncture needle that fits into the syringe or Vacutainer™ adapter.

A) Shaft
B) Bevel
C) Hub
D) Retractable sheath

Question 16

Without a clot activator, whole blood typically clots in about what time frame?

A) 1 to 5 minutes
B) 6 to 12 minutes
C) 15 to 60 minutes
D) 70 to 90 minutes

Question 17

Plasma is present in which of the following venipuncture tubes?

A) SST red-gray tube
B) Lavender tube
C) PST green-gray tube
D) B and C

Question 18

The needle size most commonly used by a blood bank for donations units is

A) 16 gauge.
B) 18 gauge.
C) 23 gauge.
D) 20 gauge.

Question 19

The needle size most commonly used in infants and the elderly is _____.

A) 16 gauge
B) 23 gauge
C) 20 gauge
D) 21 gauge

Question 20

You are required to collect a venous sample for a complete blood count (CBC). Which venipuncture tube would you collect?

A) Red-topped and lavender-topped tubes
B) Light blue-topped tube
C) A lavender-topped tube
D) A red-topped tube

Question 21

Why should a tourniquet not be tied too tightly?

A) It impedes arterial blood flow.
B) It restricts venous blood return.
C) Veins won't bulge or plump up.
D) All of the above are correct.

Question 22

What is the major cause of specimen rejection?

A) Insufficient quantity
B) Incorrect tube used for the test ordered
C) Hemolysis
D) Improper handling
E) Defective tube

Question 23

A tourniquet can remain in place for 2 minutes. After its removal, you must wait 5 minutes before reapplying it.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second is false.
D) The first statement is false; the second is true.

Question 24

The most common phlebotomy site(s) in adults is (are) the

A) radial vein.
B) brachial artery.
C) veins in the antecubital space.
D) veins in the popliteal area.

Question 25

Which of the following may be used at the venipuncture site to eliminate contaminating bacteria?

A) Sterile soap pads
B) Benzalkonium chloride
C) Povidone-iodine
D) 70% isopropyl alcohol
E) All of the above

Question 26

What is the first step OSHA recommends for the effective management of an accidental sharps exposure?

A) Injury reported to the supervisor
B) Site is washed for 10 minutes with soap, 10% iodine solution, or chlorine-based antiseptic
C) Referred to a physician for confidential assessment and follow-up
D) Incident report is completed.

Question 27

A needlestick is more likely to occur if a phlebotomist does which of the following

A) attempts to recap a needle.
B) uses a needle of inappropriate gauge.
C) uses standard Vacutainer™ equipment to obtain a specimen.
D) All of the above

Question 28

Which is the proper technique for performing a venipuncture?

A) The needle bevel is face up, and the needle is inserted at a 15-degree angle.
B) The needle bevel is face down, and the needle is inserted at a 15- to 30-degree angle.
C) The needle bevel can be oriented in either direction, but the needle must be inserted at a low angle.
D) The needle bevel is face up, and the needle is inserted at a 20- to 30-degree angle.

Question 29

The device used for dermal puncture is a(n)

A) Unopette.
B) lancet.
C) butterfly.
D) Vacutainer™.

Question 30

Which of the following collection containers is used to test neonates for certain metabolic disorders?

A) Reagent strip
B) Capillary tubes
C) Microcontainers
D) Guthrie card

Question 31

If samples for more than one tube must be drawn during a venipuncture, which order listed below follows the CLSI standards?

A) Red, lavender, then light blue
B) Yellow, red, then green
C) Gray, red, then lavender
D) Light blue, green, then red

Question 32

Which of the following collection tubes contains thixotropic gel?

A) Lavender
B) Red
C) Green-gray marbled
D) Light green
E) Both C and D

Question 33

Phlebotomy certifying agencies include which of the following?

A) ASCP
B) IAPS
C) NCA and NPA
D) All of the above

Question 34

A winged infusion set is also known as a

A) Hemagard tube.
B) Velcro tourniquet.
C) butterfly needle assembly.
D) luer adapter.

Question 35

Blood obtained via capillary puncture can be collected

A) in Microtainer™ tubes.
B) in capillary tubes.
C) in microhematocrit tubes.
D) onto filter paper.
E) All of the above

Question 36

Which is the most correct method for performing a capillary puncture?

A) Vigorously squeeze the finger to get an adequate blood sample.
B) Use the posterior surface of the finger.
C) Wipe away the first drop of blood and then collect the sample.
D) Cleanse the finger with an alcohol antiseptic and immediately perform the finger puncture.

Question 37

The proper venipuncture tube for collecting a serum specimen is

A) a green-topped tube.
B) a light blue-topped tube.
C) a lavender-topped tube.
D) a red-topped tube.
E) B and D.

Question 38

A hematoma can be caused by

A) excessive blind probing to locate a vein.
B) failure to insert the needle far enough into the vein.
C) penetration of the needle through a vein.
D) All of the above

Question 39

The liquid portion of whole blood that contains clotting factors is called

A) plasma.
B) formed elements.
C) serum.
D) hemoglobin.

Question 40

The color of the tube top for collection of a coagulation test is

A) green.
B) light blue.
C) gray.
D) lavender.

Question 41

It is important to shake a Vacutainer tube after collecting a blood sample so that the sample and additive are properly mixed.

Question 42

If the patient complains of tingling or numbness during a phlebotomy procedure, the medical assistant should continue the procedure to get it completed as soon as possible.

Question 43

The smaller the gauge of the venipuncture needle, the less likely it is that hemolysis of blood cells will occur.

Question 44

The smaller the gauge number, the larger the lumen of the venipuncture needle.

Question 45

If a patient has had a mastectomy on the left side, you should never draw blood on that side.

Question 46

According to the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, nearly 80% of physicians' decisions are based on laboratory test results.

Question 47

If you are drawing blood on an elderly patient with a history of collapsed veins, you should try to collect the blood sample with a syringe.

Question 48

The Vacutainer tube with a marbled red-gray top contains silica particles to enhance clotting and a thixotropic gel to assist in the separation of serum and blood cells.

Question 49

Needles used during venipuncture may be used only once.

Question 50

In adults and children, which finger is usually used for a routine capillary puncture site?

A) Thumb
B) Index finger
C) Ring finger
D) Fifth finger

Question 51

A patient must give verbal consent before venipuncture can be performed.

Question 52

The tourniquet should be tied on the arm for no longer than 1 minute.

Question 53

Under OSHA guidelines, needle holders for Vacutainers can be reused for multiple patients, because they are not contaminated during the blood draw.

Question 54

You notice that a patient is developing petechiae during a blood draw. This typically means that the patient has a bleeding disorder.

Question 55

A tourniquet should never be used when a venous blood sample is to be drawn from the hand.

Question 56

The liquid portion of the blood that does not contains clotting factors.

A) Plasma
B) Serum
C) Whole blood
D) All of the above

Question 57

When the needle is inserted into the vein during a routine venipuncture, the bevel of the needle should be facing up.

Question 58

When a medical assistant obtains a capillary blood sample, it is important that he or she squeeze and "milk" the finger to obtain an adequate amount of blood.

Question 59

If a patient faints while his or her blood is being drawn, the patient must remain in the facility for at least 15 minutes and should not operate a vehicle for at least 30 minutes.

Question 60

Capillary blood is a mixture of arterial blood and venous blood.

Question 61

All Vacutainer tubes should be inverted three to five times to mix the blood sample with the tube additive.

Question 62

If blood is flowing into the Vacutainer too slowly, you should withdraw the needle slightly to center it in the vein.