Phlebotomy NCCT Key Concepts
2026 Updates Questions and
Answers
What is Hemoconcentration? - Answer- Pooling of blood from tourniquet on too long
What is Petechiae? - Answer- Tiny red dots — capillary bleeding
What is Iatrogenic Anemia? - Answer- Anemia from too much blood drawn
Sharps Disposal - Answer- Dispose immediately in sharps container
Labeling Requirements - Answer- Name, DOB, date/time, your initials
When to Label - Answer- At bedside, after collection
Identify Patient Using... - Answer- Two identifiers: name + DOB
What to Do if Patient Refuses - Answer- Stop — report to nurse
What to Do if You Hit an Artery - Answer- Remove needle, apply pressure 5+ minutes
What to Do if No Blood Flow - Answer- Reposition needle, loosen tourniquet, try
different tube
Capillary Order of Draw - Answer- 1. Blood gases → 2. EDTA → 3. Other additives →
4. Serum
Capillary Puncture Sites Adult - Answer- Side of finger
Capillary Puncture Sites Infant - Answer- Heel (medial or lateral)
Depth for Infant Heel Stick - Answer- Max 2.0 mm
Reasons to Reject a Sample - Answer- Clots in EDTA, wrong tube, hemolysis,
unlabeled sample
Most Common Complication - Answer- Hematoma
How to Prevent Hematoma - Answer- Remove tourniquet first, then needle, apply
pressure
, What Is Basal State? - Answer- Fasting 8-12 hours, morning collection
Why Basal State Matters - Answer- Accurate glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides
Blood Culture Site Cleaning - Answer- Chlorhexidine or iodine
Why Clean for Blood Cultures - Answer- To avoid contamination
What Is Syncope? - Answer- Fainting
What to Do if Patient Faints - Answer- Remove needle immediately, lay patient down
Cold Agglutinins Transport - Answer- Keep warm
Lactic Acid Transport - Answer- Place on ice
Ammonia Transport - Answer- On ice
PKU Test Sample - Answer- Heel stick on newborn
HIPAA Means - Answer- Protect patient confidentiality
Needle Disposal Without Recapping - Answer- Never recap
If You Accidentally Get Stuck - Answer- Wash, report immediately
Alcohol prep (70% isopropyl) - When to use - Answer- General venipuncture; routine
draws; cleans intact skin; NOT for alcohol tests or for patients allergic to alcohol
Alcohol prep - When NOT to use - Answer- Forensic alcohol testing; blood cultures (can
interfere with iodine step); alcohol allergy; damaged skin
Chlorhexidine - When to use - Answer- Preferred for blood cultures (especially patients
allergic to iodine or alcohol); strong antimicrobial; safe for adults
Chlorhexidine - When NOT to use - Answer- Infants under 2 months; patients with
chlorhexidine allergy; avoid near eyes/ears
Povidone-iodine - When to use - Answer- Blood cultures; alcohol testing (when alcohol
pads avoided); patients who cannot use alcohol
Povidone-iodine - When NOT to use - Answer- Iodine allergy; thyroid testing (can
contaminate); infants unless approved
2026 Updates Questions and
Answers
What is Hemoconcentration? - Answer- Pooling of blood from tourniquet on too long
What is Petechiae? - Answer- Tiny red dots — capillary bleeding
What is Iatrogenic Anemia? - Answer- Anemia from too much blood drawn
Sharps Disposal - Answer- Dispose immediately in sharps container
Labeling Requirements - Answer- Name, DOB, date/time, your initials
When to Label - Answer- At bedside, after collection
Identify Patient Using... - Answer- Two identifiers: name + DOB
What to Do if Patient Refuses - Answer- Stop — report to nurse
What to Do if You Hit an Artery - Answer- Remove needle, apply pressure 5+ minutes
What to Do if No Blood Flow - Answer- Reposition needle, loosen tourniquet, try
different tube
Capillary Order of Draw - Answer- 1. Blood gases → 2. EDTA → 3. Other additives →
4. Serum
Capillary Puncture Sites Adult - Answer- Side of finger
Capillary Puncture Sites Infant - Answer- Heel (medial or lateral)
Depth for Infant Heel Stick - Answer- Max 2.0 mm
Reasons to Reject a Sample - Answer- Clots in EDTA, wrong tube, hemolysis,
unlabeled sample
Most Common Complication - Answer- Hematoma
How to Prevent Hematoma - Answer- Remove tourniquet first, then needle, apply
pressure
, What Is Basal State? - Answer- Fasting 8-12 hours, morning collection
Why Basal State Matters - Answer- Accurate glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides
Blood Culture Site Cleaning - Answer- Chlorhexidine or iodine
Why Clean for Blood Cultures - Answer- To avoid contamination
What Is Syncope? - Answer- Fainting
What to Do if Patient Faints - Answer- Remove needle immediately, lay patient down
Cold Agglutinins Transport - Answer- Keep warm
Lactic Acid Transport - Answer- Place on ice
Ammonia Transport - Answer- On ice
PKU Test Sample - Answer- Heel stick on newborn
HIPAA Means - Answer- Protect patient confidentiality
Needle Disposal Without Recapping - Answer- Never recap
If You Accidentally Get Stuck - Answer- Wash, report immediately
Alcohol prep (70% isopropyl) - When to use - Answer- General venipuncture; routine
draws; cleans intact skin; NOT for alcohol tests or for patients allergic to alcohol
Alcohol prep - When NOT to use - Answer- Forensic alcohol testing; blood cultures (can
interfere with iodine step); alcohol allergy; damaged skin
Chlorhexidine - When to use - Answer- Preferred for blood cultures (especially patients
allergic to iodine or alcohol); strong antimicrobial; safe for adults
Chlorhexidine - When NOT to use - Answer- Infants under 2 months; patients with
chlorhexidine allergy; avoid near eyes/ears
Povidone-iodine - When to use - Answer- Blood cultures; alcohol testing (when alcohol
pads avoided); patients who cannot use alcohol
Povidone-iodine - When NOT to use - Answer- Iodine allergy; thyroid testing (can
contaminate); infants unless approved
