Nokea
Which of the following is most important when assessing for a suitable vein to use for venipuncture?
- A. Your vision
- B. Your sense of touch
- C. Whether the patient is left- or right-handed
- D. Whether the vein is deep or shallow
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The sense of touch is critical for assessing vein suitability, as it allows the phlebotomist to feel for a vein's size, elasticity, and depth.
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Why is it important that you tell the patient exactly what you are about to do before you begin?
- A. To gain the patient's cooperation
- B. To delay the start of the task
- C. To reduce patient anxiety
- D. To demonstrate your knowledge
Correct Answer: A,C
Rationale: Informing the patient about the procedure helps gain their cooperation and reduces anxiety by setting clear expectations and building trust.
Which of the following statements is(are) accurate regarding veins?
- A. Veins are deeper than arteries.
- B. Veins carry deoxygenated blood.
- C. Veins carry blood back to the heart.
- D. Vein walls are thicker than arterial walls.
Correct Answer: B,C
Rationale: Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, while arteries carry oxygenated blood away. Vein walls are thinner, not thicker, than arterial walls.
You are performing phlebotomy on an elderly patient using a needle and syringe setup. Besides hemolysis, what can happen if you pull the plunger back too rapidly?
- A. Vein collapse
- B. Excessive bleeding
- C. Needle dislodgement
- D. Pain or discomfort
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pulling the plunger back too rapidly can create excessive negative pressure, causing the vein to collapse, especially in elderly patients with fragile veins.
You should avoid which of the following actions that can cause hemolysis?
- A. Using a 20- or 22-gauge needle and syringe
- B. Leaving the tourniquet on longer than 1 minute
- C. Using an evacuated tube set and a 25-gauge needle
- D. Withdrawing the blood slowly when using a needle and syringe
Correct Answer: B,C
Rationale: Leaving the tourniquet on too long or using a small-gauge needle (e.g., 25-gauge) with an evacuated tube can cause hemolysis due to excessive pressure or shear stress on red blood cells.
What color tubes will you need for these tests?
- A. Red
- B. Gray
- C. Light blue
- D. Yellow
- E. Lavender
- F. Green
Correct Answer: D,E,F
Rationale: Blood cultures use yellow tubes, complete blood count uses lavender, electrolytes use green, and glucose uses gray (though red is sometimes used for chemistry tests, green is standard for electrolytes).