Phlebotomy Flashcards
The primary role of a phlebotomy technician is to
(A) Greet patients when they arrive at a facility
(B) Collect and process blood specimens
(C) Discuss blood tests and possible diagnoses with patients
(D) Interpret the results of blood tests
b
collect and process blood specimens.
What is the name for a legally required process that must be completed to practice a medical profession in a state?
(A) Graduation
(B) Application
(C) Examination
(D) Licensure
d
licensure
What is part of the planning phlebotomy technicians must do to manage their time appropriately?
(A) Decide which tests to order for each patient
(B) Check to ensure they have all supplies needed for each patient
(C) Decide whether to make patients with a large number of tests ordered wait until patients with fewer tests are taken care of
(D) Decide which patients should be asked to return the next day
b
check to ensure they have all supplies needed for each patient.
How should phlebotomy technicians dress on the job?
(A) In any clothes that are clean and comfortable
(B) In clean, wrinkle-free uniforms or other facility-approved clothes
(C) In office attire (e.g., dress shirt and tie for men; pantsuit or dress for women)
(D) In jeans and polo shirts
b
in clean, wrinkle-free uniforms or other facility-approved clothes.
Dermal puncture may also be called
(A) Capillary puncture
(B) Venipuncture
(C) Straight stick
(D) Butterfly stick
a
capillary puncture
What usually happens after a patient is seen in an emergency department (ED)?
(A) The patient stays in the ED until her issue is resolved.
(B) The patient is transferred to the care of her primary care physician.
(C) The patient is sent home with instructions to return for follow-up.
(D) The patient is either treated and discharged or admitted to the hospital for treatment.
d
the patient is either treated and discharged or admitted to the hospital for treatment.
What do increases in the number of elderly people in the population mean for healthcare workers?
(A) There are fewer jobs as these patients require less care than younger patients.
(B) Work is easier as care for elderly patients is less complicated.
(C) There are more jobs as these patients are in particular need of care.
(D) There may be less time to care for younger patients.
c
there are more jobs as these patients are in particular need of care.
A high-quality phlebotomy certification program will require
(A) Only online instruction
(B) Proof of observation of a certain number of blood draws, both venipuncture and capillary puncture
(C) Proof of performance of a certain number of venipuncture and capillary puncture blood draws on dummy arms/hands
(D) Proof of performance of a certain number of venipuncture and capillary puncture blood draws on people
d
proof of performance of a certain number of venipuncture and capillary puncture blood draws on people.
___________________________ is an example of professional behavior for a phlebotomy technician.
(A) Asking questions when the PBT does not understand something
(B) Using cute nicknames for patients to put them at ease
(C) Not arriving to work late more often than once a week
(D) Making independent choices and not bothering supervisors with questions
a
asking questions when the PBT does not understand something.
Which of the following is a list of some common departments within a clinical laboratory?
(A) Chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology
(B) Maternity, oncology, cardiology, neurology
(C) Inpatient, outpatient, acute, ambulatory
(D) Directors, managers, consultants, technicians
a
chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology
Where do patients receive inpatient care?
(A) At a doctor’s office
(B) At a public health clinic
(C) At an urgent care center
(D) At a hospital
d
at a hospital
What is the most professional way to wear jewelry on the job?
(A) Wearing no more than five pieces of jewelry at any one time
(B) Wearing little or no jewelry, with the exception of a watch with a second hand
(C) Wearing only inexpensive jewelry
(D) Wearing no jewelry of any kind
b
wearing little or no jewelry, with the exception of a watch with a second hand.
______________________ can be a sign of unmanaged or poorly managed stress.
(A) Having poor relationships with coworkers
(B) Drinking alcohol in moderation
(C) Feeling tired at the end of a long day
(D) Missing one session of a three-times-a week exercise class
a
having poor relationships with coworkers.
What do clinical laboratories all have in common?
(A) They analyze specimens mailed to them from other facilities.
(B) They employ a large number of phlebotomists and medical technicians.
(C) The collect and analyze specimens from patients.
(D) They can perform tests at all levels of complexity.
c
they collect and analyze specimens from patients.
The requirement that phlebotomy technicians only collect blood for tests ordered through a facility’s requisition process is an example of a
A) Procedure
(B) Guideline
(C) Suggestion
(D) Policy
d
policy
Compared to the job growth predicted for most other positions, job growth for phlebotomy technicians is
(A) Much higher (many more jobs)
(B) A little bit higher (slightly more jobs)
(C) Lower (fewer jobs)
(D) About the same
a
much higher (many jobs)
A patient says, “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to have these blood tests done after all.” Which one of these responses could be considered assault?
(A) “I can answer any questions you have about the procedure if that might help.”
(B) “Doctors order tests because they can help give you better care. Would you like to talk to your doctor again before you decide for sure?”
(C) “We are going to do these tests. The doctor ordered them and you have to have them, so go ahead and roll up your sleeve.”
(D) “If you’re worried about the pain, we can talk about ways to distract yourself. It can hurt a bit for some people, but it goes quickly.”
c
“We are going to do these tests. the doctor ordered them and you have to have them, so go ahead and roll up your sleeve.”
Which of the following is a breach of patient confidentiality?
(A) Calling the physician who ordered a patient’s blood tests to clarify which tests were ordered
(B) Checking with a charge nurse to confirm the room number of a hospital patient with a blood draw ordered
(C) Calling a PBT colleague who has drawn blood from a particular patient before to the drawing station to assist in finding a good draw site
(D) Talking to a PBT colleague at lunch about a patient who was especially challenging
d
Talking to a PBT colleague at lunch about a patient who was especially challenging.
Which of the following is true?
(A) A signed general consent form means a PBT can draw blood from a patient no matter what.
(B) A signed general consent form includes consent for blood draws, but the patient may still decline the procedure.
(C) A signed general consent form does not extend to blood draws.
(D) A signed general consent form means a patient can never decline any procedure ordered by a physician.
b
a signed general consent form includes consent for blood draws, but the patient may still decline the procedure.
Which of the following shows respect for patient rights?
(A) Always drawing blood from the arm the PBT is most comfortable using
(B) Asking patients which arm they would prefer for the blood draw
(C) Not describing procedures so as not to alarm anxious patients
(D) Doing and saying everything possible to convince a reluctant patient to have blood drawn
b
asking patients which arm they would prefer for the blood draw.
What is one of the reasons governments establish laws?
(A) To ensure order and safety
(B) To prevent citizens from making independent choices
(C) To create jobs for police officers
(D) To raise money through fines when people break laws
a
to ensure order and safety.
Which of the following is one of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science’s goals for quality laboratory testing?
(A) Perform tests with minimal patient wait
(B) Perform tests with no patient pain
C) Produce healing for the patient
(D) Produce accurate test results
d
produce accurate test results.
A(n) ________________________ is an example of an advance directive.
(A) Laboratory requisition
(B) Do-not-resuscitate order
(C) General consent form
(D) Incident report
b
Do-not-resuscitate order.
Which of the following could be considered libel?
(A) A PBT writes in a patient’s chart, “Patient is tough to stick and has it in for phlebotomists. Beware!”
(B) A PBT writes in a patient’s chart, “Not able to complete venipuncture; alerted supervisor.”
(C) A PBT makes a formal written report of verbally abusive behavior on a patient’s part.
(D) A PBT says to a coworker, “That patient was a nightmare!”
a
A PBT writes in a patient’s chart, “Patient is tough to stick and has it in for phlebotomists. Beware!”
Which area of the Patient Care Partnership relates directly to infection prevention and control?
(A) Involvement in your care
(B) Protection of your privacy
(C) High quality hospital care
(D) A clean and safe environment
d
a clean and safe environment.
What should a PBT do if he finds a requisition sheet sitting on a counter in a break room?
(A) Shred the form
(B) Throw the form in the break room trash can
(C) Give the form to a nurse/supervisor
(D) Find the patient’s file and place the requisition inside
c
Give the form to a nurse/supervisor
- Just before a phlebotomy technician begins a blood draw the patient says, “Wait! I don’t want to do this!” Which of the following responses is most likely to make the patient feel defensive?
(A) “Why not?”
(B) “Can I answer any questions for you?”
(C) “Do you need a little more time?”
(D) “I won’t do this until you’re ready, but it will be over quickly once we start.”
a
“Why not?”
A patient who is pressing her lips together and not making eye contact is communicating by means of
(A) Oral communication
(B) Signal-based communication
(C) Body language
(D) Cultural communication
c
body language
Written words are considered
(A) A form of oral communication
(B) A form of nonverbal communication
(C) A form of verbal communication
(D) A form of body language
c
a form of verbal communication.
PBTs Diosa and Nikki are both fluent English speakers, but they share a cultural background and (non-English) native language. When they are working together what principle should guide their interaction?
(A) They should only speak English to each other on the job.
(B) They should speak their native language only when they do not want patients to understand what they are saying.
(C) They should speak their native language on the job only if their supervisor also understands the language.
(D) They should speak their native language on the job only if patients say it does not bother them.
a
they should only speak English to each other on the job.
A requisition specifies that a blood draw must be performed at 1430. What time should the draw take place?
(A) At 4:30 p.m.
(B) At 6:30 p.m.
(C) At 2:30 a.m.
(D) At 2:30 p.m.
d
At 2:30 p,m.
A patient expresses fear about a possible diagnosis during a blood draw. Which of the following is a clichéd response?
(A) “Have you talked to your doctor about these concerns?”
(B) “I always try to remember that everything happens for a reason.”
(C) “This must be a stressful time for you. I’m sorry.”
(D) “Your doctor will be able to talk you through the results. I know it can be scary.”
b
“I always try to remember that everything happens for a reason.”
A phlebotomy technician says to a patient, “You’re here for a CBC and some coag studies, right?” This use of medical terminology is
A. The most accurate way to communicate with patients
B. Not appropriate, since patients may not understand
C. Only appropriate with patients who seem very intelligent
D. Only appropriate with patients the phlebotomy technician knows personally
b
not appropriate, since patients may not understand.
A patient having surgery receives the incorrect type of blood due to an identification error. The official term for this type of event is a _____________________.
(A) Sentinel event
(B) Fireable offense
(C) Warning event
(D) Reportable occurrence
a
sentinel event
A patient who has blood drawn frequently expresses concern when a phlebotomy technician prepares to use a straight needle for a blood draw at the inner elbow. She informs the PBT that her veins are small and hard to stick and that usually PBTs end up using a butterfly needle and drawing from her hand. Which of the following responses shows that the PBT is respecting the patient’s concerns?
(A) “Well, I have a great track record with tricky veins. I’m sure I can get you right here.”
(B) “A lot of phlebotomists just don’t even try. This is the right way to start.”
(C) “Would you mind if I check your arms first? I’m sure you know it can hurt more to have blood drawn from your hand. If I don’t see something good in your arms we can try the hand.”
(D) “I’m only supposed to use a few butterflies a week. They’re expensive. I’ll try this first, OK?”
c
“Would you mind if I check your arms first? I’m sure you know it can hurt more to have blood drawn from your hand. if I don’t see something good in your arms we can try the hand.”
Which of these would be considered an incident and require completion of an incident report?
(A) A blood draw is performed 10 minutes later than the time on the requisition
(B) A patient taking anticoagulants continues to bleed lightly for five minutes after a blood draw
(C) A set of specimens is labeled with the wrong patient’s identifying information
(D) A patient accidentally drops a valuable piece of jewelry at a drawing station and has to be called back to retrieve it
c
a set of specimens is labeled with the wrong patient’s identifying information.
Influenza is a common illness that requires __________________ precautions.
(A) Droplet
(B) Airborne
(C) Contact
(D) Isolation
a
droplet
Blood culture may be ordered when a patient is suspected of having an infection in the bloodstream. This is a __________________ infection.
(A) Systemic
(B) Localized
(C) Healthcare-associated
(D) Nosocomial
a
systemic
What is a positive way for an employee to take responsibility for infection prevention?
(A) Threaten fellow employees with reporting if they do not follow infection prevention policies
(B) Immediately report exposure to infection, blood, or body fluids
(C) Decline to work with any patient showing signs of infection
(D) Review a patient’s chart before any patient contact and request that the patient come back another day if he seems to be sick
b
immediately report exposure to infection, blood, or body fluids.
Which of the following describes a significant exposure according to the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?
(A) Spilling a blood specimen on a laboratory counter
(B) Failing to seal a specimen bag completely
(C) Performing a routine venipuncture on a patient with a bloodborne illness
(D) Cutting a finger when retrieving a broken blood specimen tube from a centrifuge
d
cutting a finger when retrieving a broken blood specimen tube from a centrifuge.
Face shields are used when
(A) A patient has a known airborne illness
(B) A patient has a cough
(C) There is a risk of blood or body fluids splashing or spraying in the eyes
(D) The patient has a documented bloodborne disease
c
there is a risk of blood or body fluids splashing or spraying in the eyes.
Multi-patient point-of-care testing devices must be disinfected
(A) Three times a day
(B) When moving from patients in one area of a facility to another
(C) After each use
(D) At the end of each day
c
after each use.
Spores that cause C. diff are especially dangerous because
(A) They are smaller than most infectious microorganisms
(B) They can live on surfaces for 12–24 hours
(C) They can live on surfaces for up to a week
(D) They can live on surfaces for months or even years
d
they can live on surfaces for months or even years.
What should a PBT do before placing a specimen tube or container in a specimen transport bag?
(A) Shake each specimen well to mix it with any additives in the containers
(B) Check each specimen to make sure it is not leaking and that there is no specimen on the outside of the container
(C) Transfer specimens to fresh tubes/ containers
(D) Remove any protected health information from the specimens to protect patient privacy
b
check each specimen to make sure it is not leaking and that there is no specimen on the outside of the container.
A patient for whom Airborne Precautions have been ordered may be in a room called a(n)
(A) Pressurized cabin
(B) Airborne infection isolation room
(C) Airborne infection separation chamber
(D) Positive pressure infection room
b
airborne infection isolation room.
An alcohol-based hand rub is considered
(A) A satisfactory substitute for handwashing in all situations
(B) A satisfactory substitute for handwashing when hands are not visibly soiled
(C) A satisfactory substitute for handwashing when the healthcare worker does not like using soap and water
(D) A satisfactory substitute for handwashing only when the healthcare worker first arrives at work
b
a satisfactory substitute for handwashing when hands are not visibly soiled.
Medical asepsis involves
(A) Making an object or area completely free of all microorganisms
(B) Taking measures to reduce and prevent the spread of pathogens
(C) Creating a sterile field
(D) Using sterile gloves and equipment
b
taking measures to reduce and prevent the spread of pathogens.
Bloodborne pathogens are spread through contact with
(A) Particles expelled when an infected person coughs
(B) Particles on the hands of an infected person
(C) Blood or body fluids from an infected person
(D) Infected foods
c
blood or body fluids from an infected person.
An employer must offer a free _________________ vaccine to all employees.
(A) HIV
(B) Influenza
(C) Hepatitis A
(D) Hepatitis B
d
hepatitis B
The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act is an amendment to the
(A) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(B) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
(C) Affordable Care Act
(D) Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments
b
bloodborne pathogens standard
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the ________________________
(A) Spleen
(B) Large intestine
(C) Pleural lining (around the lungs)
(D) Liver
d
liver
If a patient’s blood gets on a phlebotomy technician’s intact skin, what action should the phlebotomy technician take?
(A) Since the skin is intact, no action is necessary.
(B) The phlebotomy technician should immediately wipe the blood off with a gauze square.
(C) The phlebotomy technician should immediately wash the blood off the skin with soap and water.
(D) The phlebotomy technician should remember to wash the blood off the skin after the patient leaves the drawing station.
c
The phlebotomy technician should immediately wash the blood off the skin with soap and water.
When removing gloves, the first glove should be grasped
(A) At the inside of the wrist
(B) On the back of the hand
(C) At the fingertips
(D) At the palm
d
at the palm
A close friend of a phlebotomy technician arrives for a blood draw. The PBT trusts that this patient is healthy. Which of the following is true about the precautions the PBT should take?
(A) The PBT should confirm with the friend that he is not sick, and then does not need to use Standard Precautions.
B) Because they are close friends, the PBT does not need to use Standard Precautions.
(C) The PBT should use Standard Precautions unless the friend is likely to be offended.
(D) The PBT must use Standard Precautions.
d
the PBT must use standard precautions.
Which of the following is an example of breaking the mode of transmission link in the chain of infection?
(A) Receiving a vaccination
(B) Taking an antiviral medication after being exposed to a confirmed case of influenza
(C) Washing hands
(D) An uninfected person wearing an N95 mask to avoid inhaling infectious microorganisms
c
washing hands
After handwashing it is best for a PBT to turn the faucet off by
(A) Using a clean, dry paper towel
(B) First drying hands and then using the same paper towel to turn off the faucet
(C) Using an elbow
(D) Using her nondominant hand
a
using a clean, dry paper towel.
A phlebotomy technician accidentally splashes disinfectant on his bare skin. Where can he find information about how long to wash his skin?
(A) In his copy of the facility policy manual
(B) In the Safety Data Sheet for that disinfectant
(C) On the CDC website
(D) On the OSHA website
b
in the safety data sheet for that disinfectant.
Facilities must provide training in responding to hazards at least
(A) Once a month
(B) Four times a year
(C) Twice a year
(D) Once a year
d
once a year
People are more likely to respond appropriately in emergency situations if
(A) They have taken an active role in drills
(B) They have read a lot about how to respond
(C) They watch and follow exactly what their coworkers are doing
(D) They pretend the emergency situation is not actually happening
a
they have taken an active role in drills.
What does a dosimeter measure?
(A) Exposure to infected body fluids
(B) Exposure to radiation
(C) Exposure to toxic chemicals
(D) Exposure to excessive noise
b
exposure to radiation
There is a fire in a facility. The door to the room where a PBT is located feels hot. There is no window or other way out of the room. What should the PBT do?
(A) Open the door using a wet towel or clothing to protect her hands
(B) Attempt to kick the door open
(C) Block the space under the door with a wet towel or clothing and wait for help
(D) Pound on the door and shout until help arrives
c
block the space under the door with a wet towel or clothing and wait for help.
Which of the following is true of elderly patients’ skin?
(A) It is less sensitive than the skin of younger patients.
(B) It is more delicate than the skin of younger patients.
(C) It is harder to puncture than the skin of younger patients.
(D) It is thicker than the skin of younger patients.
b
it is more delicate than the skin of younger patients.
OSHA categorizes burns from hot equipment as a _______________ hazard.
(A) Chemical
(B) Biological
(C) Physical
(D) Safety
d
safety
According to OSHA’s Hazardous Communication Standard an exclamation mark in a red diamond can indicate
(A) Gases under pressure
(B) Explosives
(C) Irritants (skin and eye)
(D) Flammables
c
irritants (Skin and eye)
A pediatric patient must never be ____________________ during the course of a venipuncture procedure.
(A) Told that a needle will be used
(B) Held in a parent’s lap
(C) Allowed to ask questions
(D) Left alone
d
left alone
How should nonsharp waste containing blood or body fluids be discarded?
(A) Along with sharps in the sharps receptacle
(B) In a regular trash can with a no-touch closing lid
(C) Directly in a biohazard dumpster outside the facility
(D) In a special biohazard waste bag
d
in a special biohazard waste bag
Tissues that, together, perform a specific function are called
(A) Organs
(B) Systems
(C) Cells
(D) Specimens
a
organs
If a phlebotomy technician is told to perform venipuncture distal to a patient’s IV, the venipuncture must take place
(A) Closer to the torso than the IV
(B) Farther away from the torso than the IV
(C) On the opposite side of the body from the IV
(D) Alongside the IV
b
farther away from the torso than the IV.
What is the largest organ in the body?
(A) The lungs
(B) The skin
(C) The large intestine
(D) The brain
b
the skin
Protecting internal organs from injury, protecting the body against bacteria, preventing the loss of too much water, and regulating body temperature are all functions of the _____________ system.
(A) Endocrine
(B) Musculoskeletal
(C) Circulatory
(D) Integumentary
d
integumentary
