Phlebotomy Technician Safety and Procedures

Front

A phlebotomy technician sees a coworker receive a significant electric shock from an instrument. Which action should the technician take first? Options: Call 911, Remove the coworker from contact with the instrument, Notify the shift supervisor, Turn off the power to the instrument.

Back

Turn off the power to the instrument.

Answer explanation

The technician should immediately shut off the instrument to eliminate the source of the electrical shock.

Front

A phlebotomy technician has collected a blood sample from a patient who is in an isolation room. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) should the technician remove first? Options: Gown, Mask, Gloves, Protective goggles

Back

Gloves

Answer explanation

The gloves are the first piece of PPE equipment that the technician should remove to prevent cross-contamination.

Front

A phlebotomy technician is preparing to collect a blood sample from a patient who is allergic to alcohol. Which antiseptic solution should be used to prepare the insertion site? Options: Iodophor, Tincture of iodine, Chlorhexidine, Hydrogen peroxide

Back

Chlorhexidine

Answer explanation

The technician should apply chlorhexidine to the insertion site. Chlorhexidine is an alternative antiseptic solution for patients who have allergies to alcohol or latex. 

Front

When should a phlebotomy technician perform an external liquid quality control on a CLIA-waived point-of-care glucose test?

Back

When a new lot number or kit is opened

Answer explanation

The technician should perform external liquid controls when a new lot number or kit is opened. 

Front

A phlebotomy technician receives a chemical splash on the forearm. After removing the contaminated clothing, what is the minimum amount of time the technician should rinse the affected area?

Back

15 minutes

Answer explanation

The technician should rinse the affected area for a minimum of 15 min after the contaminated clothing has been removed.

Front

A phlebotomy technician should identify which of the following is an identifier for a sample while it remains in the laboratory?
Options:
ICD-10 codes, Accession number, CPT code, Medical record number, Patient identification number

Back

Accession number

Answer explanation

The accession number identifies a specimen as long as it remains in the laboratory.

Accession number = Lab's "patient ID"

Front

A phlebotomy technician is collecting a blood sample from a patient who has pneumonia. In addition to gloves, which of the following personal protective equipment should the technician use?

Back

Mask, face mask, regular face mask, plain face mask

Answer explanation

The technician should wear a mask when collecting a blood specimen from a patient who has pneumonia, which requires droplet precautions. The technician should wear the mask when working within 3 feet of the patient.

Front

A phlebotomy technician is preparing to draw blood from a patient in a hospital setting. The patient extends their arm and turns their head away. This action by the patient is an example of _______ consent.

Back

implied

Front

To prevent hospital-acquired infections, a phlebotomy technician should clean objects that have been contaminated with blood with a 1:10 dilution of which of the following substances and water? Hydrogen peroxide, Isopropyl alcohol, Sodium hypochlorite, Benzalkonium chloride

Back

Sodium hypochlorite

Answer explanation

The technician should use a 1:10 dilution of sodium hypochlorite, or chlorine bleach, with water to disinfect items that are contaminated by blood.

Sodium hypochlorite = bleaches government name

Front

A phlebotomy technician has a mild sensitivity to latex. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which action should the technician take? Options: Use gloves with powder inside, Apply oil-based hand creams before putting on latex gloves, Use nitrile gloves instead of latex gloves.

Back

Use nitrile gloves instead of latex gloves.

Answer explanation

If the technician or a patient has a latex sensitivity, NIOSH recommends using non-latex gloves, bandages, and tourniquets.