NCCT Review: Phlebotomy

Which of the following steps is completed first in performing venipuncture?

• apply the tourniquet

• cleanse site with an alcohol wipe

• identify the patient 

• arrange tubes in order of draw

Which of the following should be avoided as a form of patient identification?

• insurance number

• social security number

• date of birth

• full name

Name the two most used patient identifiers

• Bed number/physicians name

• medical record number/ date of birth

• patient's name/date of birth

• patient's name/physican's name

Prior to any type of inpatient specimen collection, a phlebotomist must correctly verify their patient’s identity by using which two-step procedure?

• Check ID bracelet and IV bag

• Check ID bracelet, and ask patient to verbally confirm their identity

• Check ID bracelet and food bed chart

• check foot bed chart, and ask patient to verbally conform their idenity

Which of the following is the proper way to identify a patient prior to performing a venipuncture?

• Ask the patient if he/she is a certain patient (i.e. "Are you Steven Smith?").

• Verify the patient’s order against the name on the chart.

• Ask the nurse what the patient’s name is.

• Ask the patient to state his/her full name and DOB and compare to the chart.

Using the guidelines for any method of venipuncture, which of the following actions should the medical assistant perform directly after confirming patient identity?

• Assemble the appropriate equipment and select the proper evacuated tubes for test to be performed

• Review the requirements for collecting and handling the blood specimen as ordered by the physician

• Apply the tourniquet and thoroughly palpate the selected vein

• Position the patient’s arm and cleanse the site with an antiseptic wipe

Which of the following tests monitor anticoagulation therapy?

• PT and PTT

• T3 and T4

• Hgb and HCT

• ABO and Rh

Since special precautions are needed for patients with Vascular Access Devices, which of the following devices are contraindicated for any type of blood draws?

• Arterial line catheter

• central venous catheter

• PICC line catheter

• Fistula

The medical assistant completes a venipuncture in the antecubital area without complications.  Pressure is placed on the site following the collection.  The patient is still bleeding after five minutes of continuous pressure by the medical assistant and there is bruising at the site.  The medical assistant asks the patient if she is on anticoagulants.  The patient indicates that she is, and states that this is normal for her.  How should the medical assistant proceed?

• apply a pressure bandage and let the patient leave

• bend the arm up, apply a pressure bandage, wait 2 mins, and notify nurse

• hold direct pressure for 2 mins, apply a bandage, and let the patient leave

• hold direct pressure until bleeding stops, apply a bandage, and notify nurse

Patient has a DVT in left arm and the patient is also on blood thinners, where would be the best site for drawing blood?

• draw right arm and hold for 5 mins

• draw left arm and hold 5 mins

• draw right foot and hold 3 mins

• draw left foot and hold 3 mins