Nokea
You are preparing to draw the blood specimen and know that you must protect yourself against bloodborne pathogens. How will you accomplish this?
- A. Scrub the intended site with alcohol.
- B. Monitor the patient's chart for a history of bloodborne pathogens.
- C. Wash your hands prior to drawing blood.
- D. Apply clean examination gloves.
Correct Answer: C,D
Rationale: Washing hands and wearing gloves are key measures to protect against bloodborne pathogens, following standard precautions for phlebotomy.
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Explain the purpose of applying a tourniquet for phlebotomy.
- A. To restrict blood flow
- B. To dilate veins for easier access
- C. To prevent hemolysis
- D. To stabilize the needle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A tourniquet is applied to temporarily restrict venous blood flow, causing veins to dilate and become more visible and accessible for phlebotomy.
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.
The labels you apply to the blood specimen tubes should contain some of the following data. Which data should be included on the label?
- A. Patient's first and last name
- B. Hospital identification number for inpatient
- C. Date of birth for outpatient
- D. Physician's name
- E. Type of test ordered
- F. Date test was ordered
- G. Date and time specimen was collected
Correct Answer: A,B,C,G
Rationale: Labels must include the patient's name, hospital ID (for inpatients), date of birth (for outpatients), date and time of collection, and the phlebotomist's initials to ensure proper identification and traceability.
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.
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.