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Phlebotomy technician (CPT) practice test

173 free practice questions for this exam, each with the reason for the answer and where to look it up.

Phlebotomy technician: practice test

10 questions, graded as you go, with the reason for every answer. No sign-up.

Practice tests that prepare you for this exam

Phlebotomy technician

Safety and infection control, anatomy, order of draw, venipuncture and capillary procedures, specimen handling and patient identification.

173 questions for this exam

About the exam

ExamPhlebotomy technician (CPT)
Who runs itNHA, ASCP
WhereUnited States

Question count, time limit and pass mark differ by where you take it. Check the official candidate bulletin from the organisation that runs your exam.

Sample questions

Which structural feature is found in veins but not in arteries?

  1. A thick muscular middle layer
  2. A wall only one cell thick
  3. A pulse that can be felt
  4. Valves that prevent backflow
Show the answer

D. Valves that prevent backflow

Veins work at low pressure and have valves that keep blood moving toward the heart. A thick muscular wall and a palpable pulse belong to arteries, and a one-cell wall describes capillaries.

Reference: Circulatory system anatomy: vessel structure

During a draw, swelling begins to form around the needle. What should the phlebotomist do?

  1. Release the tourniquet, remove the needle and apply firm pressure
  2. Finish filling the tubes quickly and then apply a firm pressure bandage
  3. Push the needle slightly deeper to get back into the vein
  4. Tighten the tourniquet to slow the bleeding into the tissue
Show the answer

A. Release the tourniquet, remove the needle and apply firm pressure

Swelling means blood is leaking into the tissue, so the draw is stopped at once: tourniquet off, needle out, pressure on. Carrying on enlarges the hematoma, can compress nerves and gives a specimen of doubtful quality.

Reference: CLSI GP41: complications, hematoma

Which needle gauge is the usual choice for routine adult venipuncture with an evacuated tube system?

  1. 16 gauge
  2. 25 gauge
  3. 21 gauge
  4. 27 gauge
Show the answer

C. 21 gauge

A 21-gauge needle gives good flow without undue damage to the vein and is the standard for routine adult draws. A 16-gauge needle is used for blood donation, and very fine needles slow the flow and can damage red cells.

Reference: Venipuncture equipment: needle selection

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