NHA Phlebotomy Practice Test (146 questions)with
Correct Answers Latest Update 2026 |Exam Prep
1. A PT is planning to collect a sputum specimen from a patient. Which of the
following instructions should the tech give the patient?
breathe deeply and then cough up a specimen into the container
rinse your mouth with mouthwash before we collect the specimen
2. Describe the significance of observing petechiae during a phlebotomy
procedure.
Petechiae are a sign of successful venipuncture.
Petechiae suggest that the patient is dehydrated.
Petechiae indicate an allergic reaction to the tourniquet.
The presence of petechiae indicates that the tourniquet may be too
tight or that the patient has fragile blood vessels.
3. If a phlebotomist discovers that the needle's seal is broken before a blood
draw, what should be the next course of action?
Attempt to sterilize the needle before use.
Use the needle anyway if it looks clean.
Proceed with the blood draw using the compromised needle.
Obtain a new needle and discard the compromised one.
4. What tube should the tech use when collecting for a routine chemistry test
that requires serum?
EDTA
SST
, SPS
PST
5. What is the most common Point Of Care (POC) test performed for
monitoring blood sugar levels?
Electrolytes
Glucose
Hemoglobin
Cholesterol
6. A phlebotomist collects a blood sample for ammonia testing but forgets to
place it on ice. What potential impact could this have on the test results?
The test results will show decreased ammonia levels.
The test results may show falsely elevated ammonia levels.
The test results will be accurate as ammonia is stable at room
temperature.
The test results will be invalid and require a new sample.
7. During a blood draw an outpatient says he feels faint. What should the
phlebotomist do?
Use an ammonia inhalant to revive him.
Ask him if it is OK to continue the draw.
Discontinue the draw and lower his head.
Keep him upright and complete the draw.
8. The primary care physician for your client has ordered a blood culture to
assist him in his diagnosis. After gathering the necessary materials, you head
, to the patient's room and attempt to draw the blood. You apply the
tourniquet and begin looking for a distended vein but cannot find one. What
should you do?
Remove the tourniquet and try lowering the patient's arm to allow
blood to pool in the veins
Remove the tourniquet and tighten its hold around the arm
Have the patient make a fist and pump is multiple times
Apply a warm compress for about 30 minutes before returning to try
again
9. If a patient received an oral medication at 10:00 AM, when should the
phlebotomy technician schedule the peak level draw?
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
10:30 AM
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Immediately at 10:00 AM
10. Describe the impact of using povidone-iodine on test results during a
dermal puncture procedure.
Using povidone-iodine has no effect on test results.
Using povidone-iodine can lead to falsely elevated potassium
levels in test results.
Using povidone-iodine can reduce the risk of infection.
Using povidone-iodine can cause contamination of the sample.
, 11. What is the correct method for disposing of contaminated items in
phlebotomy?
Place the bag inside a second hazardous waste bag outside of the
room
Throw the bag in a regular trash bin
Leave the bag in the collection area for later disposal
Flush the contents down the toilet
12. Describe the significance of initiating Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
promptly after a needle stick injury in phlebotomy.
PEP is only necessary if the injury occurs in a hospital setting.
The timing of PEP is irrelevant to the outcome of the exposure.
Initiating PEP promptly after a needle stick injury is crucial to
reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
PEP can be delayed as it has no impact on infection risk.
13. If a phlebotomy technician mistakenly uses an EDTA tube instead of an SST
tube for a routine chemistry test, what impact might this have on the test
results?
The test results will be unaffected as both tubes are interchangeable.
The test results may be inaccurate due to the presence of
anticoagulant in the EDTA tube.
The test results will be delayed due to additional processing
requirements.
The test results will be more accurate because EDTA prevents
clotting.
Correct Answers Latest Update 2026 |Exam Prep
1. A PT is planning to collect a sputum specimen from a patient. Which of the
following instructions should the tech give the patient?
breathe deeply and then cough up a specimen into the container
rinse your mouth with mouthwash before we collect the specimen
2. Describe the significance of observing petechiae during a phlebotomy
procedure.
Petechiae are a sign of successful venipuncture.
Petechiae suggest that the patient is dehydrated.
Petechiae indicate an allergic reaction to the tourniquet.
The presence of petechiae indicates that the tourniquet may be too
tight or that the patient has fragile blood vessels.
3. If a phlebotomist discovers that the needle's seal is broken before a blood
draw, what should be the next course of action?
Attempt to sterilize the needle before use.
Use the needle anyway if it looks clean.
Proceed with the blood draw using the compromised needle.
Obtain a new needle and discard the compromised one.
4. What tube should the tech use when collecting for a routine chemistry test
that requires serum?
EDTA
SST
, SPS
PST
5. What is the most common Point Of Care (POC) test performed for
monitoring blood sugar levels?
Electrolytes
Glucose
Hemoglobin
Cholesterol
6. A phlebotomist collects a blood sample for ammonia testing but forgets to
place it on ice. What potential impact could this have on the test results?
The test results will show decreased ammonia levels.
The test results may show falsely elevated ammonia levels.
The test results will be accurate as ammonia is stable at room
temperature.
The test results will be invalid and require a new sample.
7. During a blood draw an outpatient says he feels faint. What should the
phlebotomist do?
Use an ammonia inhalant to revive him.
Ask him if it is OK to continue the draw.
Discontinue the draw and lower his head.
Keep him upright and complete the draw.
8. The primary care physician for your client has ordered a blood culture to
assist him in his diagnosis. After gathering the necessary materials, you head
, to the patient's room and attempt to draw the blood. You apply the
tourniquet and begin looking for a distended vein but cannot find one. What
should you do?
Remove the tourniquet and try lowering the patient's arm to allow
blood to pool in the veins
Remove the tourniquet and tighten its hold around the arm
Have the patient make a fist and pump is multiple times
Apply a warm compress for about 30 minutes before returning to try
again
9. If a patient received an oral medication at 10:00 AM, when should the
phlebotomy technician schedule the peak level draw?
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
10:30 AM
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Immediately at 10:00 AM
10. Describe the impact of using povidone-iodine on test results during a
dermal puncture procedure.
Using povidone-iodine has no effect on test results.
Using povidone-iodine can lead to falsely elevated potassium
levels in test results.
Using povidone-iodine can reduce the risk of infection.
Using povidone-iodine can cause contamination of the sample.
, 11. What is the correct method for disposing of contaminated items in
phlebotomy?
Place the bag inside a second hazardous waste bag outside of the
room
Throw the bag in a regular trash bin
Leave the bag in the collection area for later disposal
Flush the contents down the toilet
12. Describe the significance of initiating Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
promptly after a needle stick injury in phlebotomy.
PEP is only necessary if the injury occurs in a hospital setting.
The timing of PEP is irrelevant to the outcome of the exposure.
Initiating PEP promptly after a needle stick injury is crucial to
reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
PEP can be delayed as it has no impact on infection risk.
13. If a phlebotomy technician mistakenly uses an EDTA tube instead of an SST
tube for a routine chemistry test, what impact might this have on the test
results?
The test results will be unaffected as both tubes are interchangeable.
The test results may be inaccurate due to the presence of
anticoagulant in the EDTA tube.
The test results will be delayed due to additional processing
requirements.
The test results will be more accurate because EDTA prevents
clotting.
