NHA Phlebotomy Certification Exam
2025| Complete with Study Guide for
Guaranteed Pass
1. What is the most preferred site for venipuncture?
A) Basilic vein
B) Cephalic vein
C) Median cubital vein
D) Dorsal hand vein
Correct Answer: C) Median cubital vein
Explanation: The median cubital vein is the most preferred site for venipuncture because it is
large, well-anchored, and less likely to roll or collapse. It is located in the antecubital fossa,
making it easily accessible and less painful for the patient.
2. Prior to performing the capillary (dermal) puncture, the PT should select the:
A) Needle gauge
B) Lancet size
C) Tourniquet type
D) Antiseptic type
Correct Answer: B) Lancet size
Explanation: Selecting the appropriate lancet size is critical for capillary punctures to ensure the
correct depth and minimize tissue damage. The lancet size must be appropriate for the patient’s
age and skin thickness (e.g., smaller for infants).
3. When collecting blood cultures from an adult patient, it is recommended to collect:
,A) 2-5 mL per bottle
B) 5-7 mL per bottle
C) 8-10 mL per bottle
D) 10-15 mL per bottle
Correct Answer: C) 8-10 mL per bottle
Explanation: For adult patients, 8-10 mL of blood per bottle is recommended for blood cultures
to ensure sufficient volume for detecting pathogens while minimizing the risk of contamination
or false negatives.
4. Feather edge reflects the correct results for a:
A) Complete blood count
B) Peripheral blood smear
C) Coagulation test
D) Glucose test
Correct Answer: B) Peripheral blood smear
Explanation: A feather edge is a characteristic feature of a properly prepared peripheral blood
smear, where the blood cells are spread thinly and evenly for microscopic examination.
5. What tests require fasting?
A) Complete blood count, hemoglobin, hematocrit
B) Glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, vitamin & mineral problems, and pregnancy
C) Blood cultures, electrolytes, liver function
D) Prothrombin time, INR, platelet count
Correct Answer: B) Glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, vitamin & mineral problems, and
pregnancy
Explanation: Tests such as glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, and certain vitamin/mineral levels
require fasting to ensure accurate results, as food intake can affect these measurements.
Pregnancy tests may also require fasting in specific contexts for hormonal accuracy.
,6. When entering a patient’s room, you should:
A) Begin the procedure immediately
B) Introduce yourself and explain the procedure
C) Check the chart without speaking
D) Ask for payment information
Correct Answer: B) Introduce yourself and explain the procedure
Explanation: Introducing yourself and explaining the procedure establishes trust, ensures patient
comfort, and complies with ethical and professional standards for informed consent.
7. What two factors determine whether a child should have capillary collection by heel or stick?
A) Weight and height
B) Age and developmental factors
C) Blood volume and vein size
D) Skin thickness and pain tolerance
Correct Answer: B) Age and developmental factors
Explanation: The decision to use a heel stick or finger stick for capillary collection in children
depends on their age and developmental stage. Heel sticks are typically used for infants under 1
year, while finger sticks are used for older children.
8. What is used to collect cerebrospinal fluid, which is a non-blood specimen?
A) Venipuncture
B) Lumbar tap
C) Capillary puncture
D) Arterial puncture
Correct Answer: B) Lumbar tap
, Explanation: Cerebrospinal fluid is collected via a lumbar tap (spinal tap), a procedure
performed by a physician to obtain fluid from the spinal canal for diagnostic testing.
9. What type of alcohol compound is appropriate for a routine skin puncture?
A) 50% ethanol
B) 70% isopropyl alcohol
C) 90% methanol
D) 100% ethyl alcohol
Correct Answer: B) 70% isopropyl alcohol
Explanation: 70% isopropyl alcohol is the standard antiseptic for routine skin punctures because
it effectively disinfects the skin without causing excessive irritation or tissue damage.
10. When running an IV, what is the preferred site for drawing a blood specimen?
A) Proximal to the IV site
B) Same arm as the IV
C) Going distal
D) Any arm
Correct Answer: C) Going distal
Explanation: When an IV is in place, the preferred site for drawing blood is distal to the IV to
avoid contamination from IV fluids, which could affect test results.
11. If during a venipuncture the patient moves, the needle comes out, the PT should:
A) Reinsert the needle immediately
B) Release the tourniquet
C) Apply more pressure to the site
D) Continue drawing blood
2025| Complete with Study Guide for
Guaranteed Pass
1. What is the most preferred site for venipuncture?
A) Basilic vein
B) Cephalic vein
C) Median cubital vein
D) Dorsal hand vein
Correct Answer: C) Median cubital vein
Explanation: The median cubital vein is the most preferred site for venipuncture because it is
large, well-anchored, and less likely to roll or collapse. It is located in the antecubital fossa,
making it easily accessible and less painful for the patient.
2. Prior to performing the capillary (dermal) puncture, the PT should select the:
A) Needle gauge
B) Lancet size
C) Tourniquet type
D) Antiseptic type
Correct Answer: B) Lancet size
Explanation: Selecting the appropriate lancet size is critical for capillary punctures to ensure the
correct depth and minimize tissue damage. The lancet size must be appropriate for the patient’s
age and skin thickness (e.g., smaller for infants).
3. When collecting blood cultures from an adult patient, it is recommended to collect:
,A) 2-5 mL per bottle
B) 5-7 mL per bottle
C) 8-10 mL per bottle
D) 10-15 mL per bottle
Correct Answer: C) 8-10 mL per bottle
Explanation: For adult patients, 8-10 mL of blood per bottle is recommended for blood cultures
to ensure sufficient volume for detecting pathogens while minimizing the risk of contamination
or false negatives.
4. Feather edge reflects the correct results for a:
A) Complete blood count
B) Peripheral blood smear
C) Coagulation test
D) Glucose test
Correct Answer: B) Peripheral blood smear
Explanation: A feather edge is a characteristic feature of a properly prepared peripheral blood
smear, where the blood cells are spread thinly and evenly for microscopic examination.
5. What tests require fasting?
A) Complete blood count, hemoglobin, hematocrit
B) Glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, vitamin & mineral problems, and pregnancy
C) Blood cultures, electrolytes, liver function
D) Prothrombin time, INR, platelet count
Correct Answer: B) Glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, vitamin & mineral problems, and
pregnancy
Explanation: Tests such as glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, and certain vitamin/mineral levels
require fasting to ensure accurate results, as food intake can affect these measurements.
Pregnancy tests may also require fasting in specific contexts for hormonal accuracy.
,6. When entering a patient’s room, you should:
A) Begin the procedure immediately
B) Introduce yourself and explain the procedure
C) Check the chart without speaking
D) Ask for payment information
Correct Answer: B) Introduce yourself and explain the procedure
Explanation: Introducing yourself and explaining the procedure establishes trust, ensures patient
comfort, and complies with ethical and professional standards for informed consent.
7. What two factors determine whether a child should have capillary collection by heel or stick?
A) Weight and height
B) Age and developmental factors
C) Blood volume and vein size
D) Skin thickness and pain tolerance
Correct Answer: B) Age and developmental factors
Explanation: The decision to use a heel stick or finger stick for capillary collection in children
depends on their age and developmental stage. Heel sticks are typically used for infants under 1
year, while finger sticks are used for older children.
8. What is used to collect cerebrospinal fluid, which is a non-blood specimen?
A) Venipuncture
B) Lumbar tap
C) Capillary puncture
D) Arterial puncture
Correct Answer: B) Lumbar tap
, Explanation: Cerebrospinal fluid is collected via a lumbar tap (spinal tap), a procedure
performed by a physician to obtain fluid from the spinal canal for diagnostic testing.
9. What type of alcohol compound is appropriate for a routine skin puncture?
A) 50% ethanol
B) 70% isopropyl alcohol
C) 90% methanol
D) 100% ethyl alcohol
Correct Answer: B) 70% isopropyl alcohol
Explanation: 70% isopropyl alcohol is the standard antiseptic for routine skin punctures because
it effectively disinfects the skin without causing excessive irritation or tissue damage.
10. When running an IV, what is the preferred site for drawing a blood specimen?
A) Proximal to the IV site
B) Same arm as the IV
C) Going distal
D) Any arm
Correct Answer: C) Going distal
Explanation: When an IV is in place, the preferred site for drawing blood is distal to the IV to
avoid contamination from IV fluids, which could affect test results.
11. If during a venipuncture the patient moves, the needle comes out, the PT should:
A) Reinsert the needle immediately
B) Release the tourniquet
C) Apply more pressure to the site
D) Continue drawing blood
