Test Your Phlebotomy Knowledge

What is the order of preference when selection veins on the the arm for venipuncture? Please select the correct order of preference (most preferred to least preferred)

• 1. Median cubital vein

  2. Cephalic vein

  3. Basilic vein

• 1. Cephalic vein

  2. Median cubital vein

  3. Basilic vein

• 1. Median cubital vein

  2. Basilic vein

  3. Cephalic vein

• There is no order of preference

Which of the following sites are not-suitable to perform venepuncture? (Select all that applies)

• Site downstream (‘proximal’) from and IV line

• Dorsal side of the non-dominant hand

• Antecubital fossa region that has hematoma present

• Arms on the side of mastectomy

Which of these are correct patient identification according to best practices? (Select all that applies)

• Ask patient to state him/her full name, spell last name and Identification card number

• Ask a pediatric patient’s mother to identify the patient with name and 2nd unique identifier

• Verify the inpatient’s information by comparing the patient's name on the bed label against the patient's wrist band

• In an outpatient setting, ask patient to state first name and date of birth

Standard precautions highlights awareness in handling patient’s blood and body fluids. What is/are the most BASIC preparation prior to blood sample taking? (Select all that applies)

• Hand wash

• Gloves

• Gown

• Eyeware

Which of the following is correct on tourniquet application? (select all that applies)

• Tourniquet application time should not exceed 1 minute

• Tourniquet application time should not exceed 2 minutes

• Tourniquet should be place about 4 inches from intended site

• Prolonged application of tourniquet can cause hemaconcentration impact on the blood specimen

Of the following corresponding Vacutainer cap colour is matched correctly with the Vacutainer additive type? (Select all that applies)

• Red cap - Clot activator

• Green Cap - Lithium heparin additive

• Yellow Cap - K2EDTA additive

• Blue cap - Sodium citrate additive

Which is the following is CORRECT on the Order of Draw Sequence? (Select all that applies)

• Start with Citrate tube, then K2EDTA tube and finally Serum tube

• Start with Citrate tube, then Serum tube then K2EDTA tube and finally Fluoride tube

• Start with K2EDTA tube, then Serum tube, then Heparin Tube and finally Citrate tube

• Start with Citrate tube, then Heparin tube and finally K2EDTA tube

Which is the following statement if correct on the number of inversion required for each of the following Vacutainer tubes ? (Select all that applies)

• Serum tube does not require inversion

• K2EDTA tube require at least 8 inversions

• Citrate tube for coagulation requires 3-4 inversions

• Serum tube requires 5 inversions

Which of the following statement(s) is TRUE on site disinfection? (Select all that applies)

• Site disinfection can be carried out using a clean gauze pad with 70% isopropyl alcohol solution

• It is not necessary to allow the site to air dry after site disinfection

• Venipuncture site disinfection helps prevent patient infection and minimize microbial contamination of the specimen.

• Re-touching of site is acceptable with gloved hands

What characteristic of blood makes it unique in terms of its susceptibility to preanalytical variation? (Select all that applies)

• Living organ

• The number of RBC will vary in certain diseases

• The number of WBC and platelets will change in disease state

• The number of platelets will drop after radiation