NHA Phlebotomy Exam| Questions With Answers And
Detailed Rationales Rated A | Digital Pdf Download
1. What is the primary role of a phlebotomist?
A) Administering medications
B) Collecting blood specimens
C) Diagnosing diseases
D) Interpreting lab results
B) Collecting blood specimens
The phlebotomist’s main responsibility is to collect
blood samples for laboratory testing, not diagnosis
or treatment.
2. Which tube additive prevents blood from clotting
by binding calcium?
A) Heparin
B) EDTA
C) Sodium citrate
D) Sodium fluoride
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,C) Sodium citrate
Sodium citrate binds calcium, inhibiting
coagulation; it is used for coagulation studies. EDTA
also binds calcium but is for hematology.
3. What is the correct order of draw for a standard
v enipuncture using a closed system?
A) Light blue, red, green, lavender, gray
B) Red, light blue, green, gray, lavender
C) Lavender, green, red, light blue, gray
D) Gray, lavender, green, red, light blue
A) Light blue, red, green, lavender, gray
The order prevents cross-contamination of
additives: blood culture (not listed), light blue
(citrate), red (clot activator), green (heparin),
lavender (EDTA), gray (fluoride/oxalate).
4. When a patient is sitting in a phlebotomy chair,
the phlebotomist should ensure the patient’s arm is
at an angle of about:
A) 0–15 degrees
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,B) 15–30 degrees
C) 45–60 degrees
D) 90 degrees
B) 15–30 degrees
The arm should be extended downward at a slight
angle to improve vein filling, but not fully dependent.
5. Which vein is the first choice for venipuncture in
the antecubital area?
A) Basilic vein
B) Cephalic vein
C) Median cubital vein
D) Radial vein
C) Median cubital vein
It is large, well-anchored, and least likely to roll,
with fewer nerves nearby.
6. A phlebotomist accidentally sticks themselves
with a used needle. What is the FIRST action?
A) Report to supervisor
B) Wash the site with soap and water
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, C) Squeeze blood from the wound
D) Apply a tourniquet above the site
B) Wash the site with soap and water
Immediate washing reduces infection risk; then
report and follow exposure protocol.
7. Which needle gauge has the largest lumen?
A) 18-gauge
B) 21-gauge
C) 23-gauge
D) 25-gauge
A) 18-gauge
The smaller the gauge number, the larger the lumen
diameter.
8. Why is a tourniquet applied for venipuncture?
A) To prevent hemolysis
B) To dilate arteries
C) To restrict venous flow and engorge veins
D) To sterilize the skin
C) To restrict venous flow and engorge veins
© 2026 Academics_Excellence Stuvia
Detailed Rationales Rated A | Digital Pdf Download
1. What is the primary role of a phlebotomist?
A) Administering medications
B) Collecting blood specimens
C) Diagnosing diseases
D) Interpreting lab results
B) Collecting blood specimens
The phlebotomist’s main responsibility is to collect
blood samples for laboratory testing, not diagnosis
or treatment.
2. Which tube additive prevents blood from clotting
by binding calcium?
A) Heparin
B) EDTA
C) Sodium citrate
D) Sodium fluoride
© 2026 Academics_Excellence Stuvia
,C) Sodium citrate
Sodium citrate binds calcium, inhibiting
coagulation; it is used for coagulation studies. EDTA
also binds calcium but is for hematology.
3. What is the correct order of draw for a standard
v enipuncture using a closed system?
A) Light blue, red, green, lavender, gray
B) Red, light blue, green, gray, lavender
C) Lavender, green, red, light blue, gray
D) Gray, lavender, green, red, light blue
A) Light blue, red, green, lavender, gray
The order prevents cross-contamination of
additives: blood culture (not listed), light blue
(citrate), red (clot activator), green (heparin),
lavender (EDTA), gray (fluoride/oxalate).
4. When a patient is sitting in a phlebotomy chair,
the phlebotomist should ensure the patient’s arm is
at an angle of about:
A) 0–15 degrees
© 2026 Academics_Excellence Stuvia
,B) 15–30 degrees
C) 45–60 degrees
D) 90 degrees
B) 15–30 degrees
The arm should be extended downward at a slight
angle to improve vein filling, but not fully dependent.
5. Which vein is the first choice for venipuncture in
the antecubital area?
A) Basilic vein
B) Cephalic vein
C) Median cubital vein
D) Radial vein
C) Median cubital vein
It is large, well-anchored, and least likely to roll,
with fewer nerves nearby.
6. A phlebotomist accidentally sticks themselves
with a used needle. What is the FIRST action?
A) Report to supervisor
B) Wash the site with soap and water
© 2026 Academics_Excellence Stuvia
, C) Squeeze blood from the wound
D) Apply a tourniquet above the site
B) Wash the site with soap and water
Immediate washing reduces infection risk; then
report and follow exposure protocol.
7. Which needle gauge has the largest lumen?
A) 18-gauge
B) 21-gauge
C) 23-gauge
D) 25-gauge
A) 18-gauge
The smaller the gauge number, the larger the lumen
diameter.
8. Why is a tourniquet applied for venipuncture?
A) To prevent hemolysis
B) To dilate arteries
C) To restrict venous flow and engorge veins
D) To sterilize the skin
C) To restrict venous flow and engorge veins
© 2026 Academics_Excellence Stuvia
