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WorksheetsPatient Preparation
Total questions: 25
Worksheet time: 12mins
A patient is scheduled for a fasting lipid panel. What should the phlebotomist ask the patient?
Have you taken any medications today?
When was your last meal or drink other than water?
Are you feeling nervous about the blood draw?
Do you have any allergies?
What is the difference between a glucose tolerance test (GTT) and a glucose challenge test?
They are the same test
GTT requires fasting and multiple blood draws; glucose challenge does not require fasting and typically involves fewer draws
GTT is for diabetes screening; glucose challenge is for gestational diabetes only
Glucose challenge uses a higher dose of glucose
Which of the following tests requires the patient to fast?
CBC (Complete Blood Count)
Fasting glucose
Hemoglobin A1C
Electrolyte panel
What information is required on a laboratory requisition form?
Patient name and date of birth only
Patient demographics, tests ordered, ordering physician, date and time of collection, and collector identification
Only the tests being ordered
Patient name and social security number
A patient appears cyanotic (blue-tinged skin) and is unresponsive. What should the phlebotomist do first?
Complete the blood draw quickly
Check for breathing and pulse, call for help, and begin CPR if needed
Give the patient oxygen
Call the patient's physician
When performing a glucose tolerance test, what are the typical steps?
Draw fasting sample, give glucose drink, draw samples at specified intervals (usually 1, 2, and 3 hours)
Give glucose drink, then draw one sample after 2 hours
Draw sample, patient eats regular meal, draw follow-up sample
Draw samples every 30 minutes for 4 hours
Which of the following patients should be asked about fasting status?
Patient scheduled for lipid panel
Patient scheduled for CBC
Patient scheduled for blood culture
Patient scheduled for PT/INR
What should a phlebotomist do if a patient asks about their test results?
Provide the results if they are available
Explain that results must be discussed with their physician
Give a general interpretation of what the tests measure
Call the physician immediately to get permission to share results
A patient tells the phlebotomist they feel dizzy and nauseous during the blood draw. What should the phlebotomist do?
Continue the draw quickly to finish as soon as possible
Remove the needle, apply pressure, and lower the patient's head or have them lie down
Give the patient water immediately
Ignore the complaint as it is common
What should the phlebotomist verify before drawing blood from a patient?
Patient's name and insurance information
Patient identity using two identifiers (name and date of birth), verify order matches patient
Only that the patient knows why they are having blood drawn
Patient's address and phone number
A patient is scheduled for a cortisol level draw. What special consideration is important?
The specimen must be kept at body temperature
The timing of collection is critical (often early morning for baseline)
The patient must be NPO (nothing by mouth) for 24 hours
The specimen must be protected from light
When can a phlebotomist proceed with a blood draw without written consent?
Never, written consent is always required
When the physician has ordered the test and the patient verbally agrees
Only in emergency situations
When family members give permission
What position should a patient be in for a routine venipuncture?
Standing
Lying flat
Seated with arm supported and extended
Seated with arm bent at 90 degrees
A patient mentions they have a latex allergy. What should the phlebotomist do?
Refuse to draw the patient
Use non-latex gloves and tourniquet
Document the allergy but proceed with latex materials
Only avoid latex if the patient has severe reactions
What should the phlebotomist do if a patient's identity does not match the requisition?
Draw the blood and note the discrepancy on the paperwork
Do not draw the blood; verify the correct patient identity and obtain a corrected requisition
Ask the patient if the name on the requisition is a nickname
Change the requisition to match the patient's stated name
What position is used for venipuncture if the patient is nervous or fainted in the past?
Prone
Semi-Fowler
Sims
Sitting
How can venous reflux be prevented?
Use an angle greater than 15 degrees
Fill the vacuum only half way
Keep the patient's arm in a downward position
Remove the tourniquet after removing the needle
Generally, to draw blood, the bevel of the needle should
be inserted at a 90 degree angle.
be inserted at a 15-30 degree angle.
be pointing up.
be pointing down.
If blood flow stops during venipuncture, the phlebotomy technician should:
slightly re-adjust needle
try another vacutainer tube
anticipate vein collapse
all of the above
What is the recommended technique for anchoring the vein during venipuncture?
Pinch the vein tightly before puncturing
Apply firm pressure above the intended puncture site
Use a tourniquet to constrict the vein
Apply gentle pressure just below the intended puncture site
You do not see a flashback of blood after inserting the needle into a patient's vein. Your next course of action should be:
Pull back on the needle very slightly and move the needle side to side.
pull back on the needle very slightly, re-palpate for the vein, and move needle from side to side.
Pull back on the needle very slightly, re-palpate for the vein, and move closer to the vein.
Pull back on the vein very slightly, re-palpate, and move closer the the needle.
Which of the following is used to stabilize a patient's arm during a venipuncture?
Arm restriants
A phlebotomy wedge
A blood pressure cuff
A phlebotomy cart
During a venipuncture, the patient becomes pale, sweating excessively, and has a glassy stare. Your patient is likely experiencing:
nerve damage
syncope
diaphoresis
none of the above
Which tube is used for hematology testing?
Purple
Yellow
Green
Red
What is it called when you only have to have a small amount of blood drawn?
dermal puncture
collection site
laboratory test
graft
