NHA Phlebotomy Technician Exam Prep
2025/2026 – Study Guide + Practice Q&A
Section 1: Safety and Compliance (20 Questions)
1. What is the first thing a phlebotomist should do upon entering a patient's room?
A. Check the patient's ID band
B. Introduce themselves and explain the procedure
C. Sanitize their hands
D. Assemble the equipment
Answer: C. Sanitize their hands (✓)
2. Which of the following is the proper order of draw for a vacuum tube system?
A. Red, Light Blue, SST, Lavender
B. Blood Cultures, Light Blue, SST, Green, Lavender
C. Light Blue, SST, Lavender, Gray
D. Blood Cultures, Light Blue, Red, Green, Lavender
Answer: B. Blood Cultures, Light Blue, SST, Green, Lavender (✓)
3. According to OSHA, a "BBP" kit must be available in the event of an exposure. What
does BBP stand for?
A. Basic Blood Protocol
B. Blood-Borne Pathogen
C. Biohazard Blood Plan
D. Blood and Body Protection
Answer: B. Blood-Borne Pathogen (✓)
4. After drawing a patient in isolation, what should the phlebotomist do with their gloves
before leaving the room?
A. Remove them inside the room and sanitize hands upon exit.
B. Wear them to the nursing station to dispose of them.
C. Remove them at the door and place them in a regular trash can.
D. Sanitize them and reuse for the next patient.
Answer: A. Remove them inside the room and sanitize hands upon exit. (✓)
5. The most common cause of needle-stick injuries is:
A. Improper disposal in a sharps container.
B. Recapping a used needle.
C. A patient moving suddenly.
, D. Using a needle that is too small.
Answer: B. Recapping a used needle. (✓)
6. Which tube would be used to collect a sample for a CBC (Complete Blood Count)?
A. Serum Separator Tube (SST)
B. Lavender-top EDTA tube
C. Light Blue-top citrate tube
D. Green-top heparin tube
Answer: B. Lavender-top EDTA tube (✓)
7. A tourniquet should not be left on a patient's arm for longer than:
A. 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 2 minutes
D. 5 minutes
Answer: B. 1 minute (✓)
8. The primary purpose of a gel separator tube (SST) is to:
A. Prevent clotting.
B. Preserve glucose.
C. Separate serum from cells.
D. Act as an anticoagulant.
Answer: C. Separate serum from cells. (✓)
9. Which organization requires the use of Engineering Controls like sharps containers and
safety needles?
A. The Joint Commission (TJC)
B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
C. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
D. College of American Pathologists (CAP)
Answer: B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (✓)
10. If a patient refuses a blood draw after you have explained the procedure, you should:
A. Perform the draw as it is doctor's orders.
B. Notify the patient's nurse or supervisor.
C. Ask a family member to convince the patient.
D. Document the refusal and move on.
Answer: B. Notify the patient's nurse or supervisor. (✓)
,11. Which disinfectant is most commonly used for routine skin antisepsis prior to
venipuncture?
A. Betadine (povidone-iodine)
B. Hydrogen Peroxide
C. 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
D. Chlorhexidine Gluconate
Answer: C. 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (✓)
12. A tube containing K2EDTA is identified by what color top?
A. Green
B. Gray
C. Lavender
D. Light Blue
Answer: C. Lavender (✓)
13. The term "phlebotomy" literally means:
A. To draw blood
B. To cut a vein
C. To study veins
D. To collect a sample
Answer: B. To cut a vein (✓)
14. Which of the following tests is most sensitive to prolonged tourniquet time?
A. Potassium
B. Glucose
C. Hemoglobin
D. Sodium
Answer: A. Potassium (✓)
15. What is the maximum time a serum specimen should sit before being centrifuged?
A. 15 minutes
B. 60 minutes
C. 2 hours
D. 4 hours
Answer: B. 60 minutes (✓)
16. A patient has tiny red spots on their skin. The phlebotomist should be concerned
about:
A. Petechiae
B. Ecchymosis
, C. Hemolysis
D. Jaundice
Answer: A. Petechiae (✓)
17. Which tube should be drawn for a routine coagulation test (PT/PTT)?
A. Lavender-top
B. Light Blue-top
C. Green-top
D. Gray-top
Answer: B. Light Blue-top (✓)
18. The purpose of an antiglycolytic agent (like sodium fluoride) in a gray-top tube is to:
A. Prevent clotting.
B. Preserve glucose.
C. Bind calcium.
D. Separate plasma.
Answer: B. Preserve glucose. (✓)
19. If a blood spill occurs, the first step is to:
A. Pour disinfectant on it.
B. Notify a supervisor.
C. Contain the spill with paper towels.
D. Evacuate the area.
Answer: C. Contain the spill with paper towels. (✓)
20. Which of the following is the correct way to label a specimen tube at the patient's
bedside?
A. Ask the patient to write their name on the tube.
B. Label the tube after leaving the patient's room.
C. Label the tube with the patient's full name, DOB, date, time, and your initials.
D. Pre-label the tubes before entering the room to save time.
Answer: C. Label the tube with the patient's full name, DOB, date, time, and your
initials. (✓)
Section 2: Patient Preparation & Identification (15 Questions)
21. The most critical step in the venipuncture process is:
A. Proper patient identification.
B. Selecting the correct needle gauge.
2025/2026 – Study Guide + Practice Q&A
Section 1: Safety and Compliance (20 Questions)
1. What is the first thing a phlebotomist should do upon entering a patient's room?
A. Check the patient's ID band
B. Introduce themselves and explain the procedure
C. Sanitize their hands
D. Assemble the equipment
Answer: C. Sanitize their hands (✓)
2. Which of the following is the proper order of draw for a vacuum tube system?
A. Red, Light Blue, SST, Lavender
B. Blood Cultures, Light Blue, SST, Green, Lavender
C. Light Blue, SST, Lavender, Gray
D. Blood Cultures, Light Blue, Red, Green, Lavender
Answer: B. Blood Cultures, Light Blue, SST, Green, Lavender (✓)
3. According to OSHA, a "BBP" kit must be available in the event of an exposure. What
does BBP stand for?
A. Basic Blood Protocol
B. Blood-Borne Pathogen
C. Biohazard Blood Plan
D. Blood and Body Protection
Answer: B. Blood-Borne Pathogen (✓)
4. After drawing a patient in isolation, what should the phlebotomist do with their gloves
before leaving the room?
A. Remove them inside the room and sanitize hands upon exit.
B. Wear them to the nursing station to dispose of them.
C. Remove them at the door and place them in a regular trash can.
D. Sanitize them and reuse for the next patient.
Answer: A. Remove them inside the room and sanitize hands upon exit. (✓)
5. The most common cause of needle-stick injuries is:
A. Improper disposal in a sharps container.
B. Recapping a used needle.
C. A patient moving suddenly.
, D. Using a needle that is too small.
Answer: B. Recapping a used needle. (✓)
6. Which tube would be used to collect a sample for a CBC (Complete Blood Count)?
A. Serum Separator Tube (SST)
B. Lavender-top EDTA tube
C. Light Blue-top citrate tube
D. Green-top heparin tube
Answer: B. Lavender-top EDTA tube (✓)
7. A tourniquet should not be left on a patient's arm for longer than:
A. 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 2 minutes
D. 5 minutes
Answer: B. 1 minute (✓)
8. The primary purpose of a gel separator tube (SST) is to:
A. Prevent clotting.
B. Preserve glucose.
C. Separate serum from cells.
D. Act as an anticoagulant.
Answer: C. Separate serum from cells. (✓)
9. Which organization requires the use of Engineering Controls like sharps containers and
safety needles?
A. The Joint Commission (TJC)
B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
C. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
D. College of American Pathologists (CAP)
Answer: B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (✓)
10. If a patient refuses a blood draw after you have explained the procedure, you should:
A. Perform the draw as it is doctor's orders.
B. Notify the patient's nurse or supervisor.
C. Ask a family member to convince the patient.
D. Document the refusal and move on.
Answer: B. Notify the patient's nurse or supervisor. (✓)
,11. Which disinfectant is most commonly used for routine skin antisepsis prior to
venipuncture?
A. Betadine (povidone-iodine)
B. Hydrogen Peroxide
C. 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
D. Chlorhexidine Gluconate
Answer: C. 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (✓)
12. A tube containing K2EDTA is identified by what color top?
A. Green
B. Gray
C. Lavender
D. Light Blue
Answer: C. Lavender (✓)
13. The term "phlebotomy" literally means:
A. To draw blood
B. To cut a vein
C. To study veins
D. To collect a sample
Answer: B. To cut a vein (✓)
14. Which of the following tests is most sensitive to prolonged tourniquet time?
A. Potassium
B. Glucose
C. Hemoglobin
D. Sodium
Answer: A. Potassium (✓)
15. What is the maximum time a serum specimen should sit before being centrifuged?
A. 15 minutes
B. 60 minutes
C. 2 hours
D. 4 hours
Answer: B. 60 minutes (✓)
16. A patient has tiny red spots on their skin. The phlebotomist should be concerned
about:
A. Petechiae
B. Ecchymosis
, C. Hemolysis
D. Jaundice
Answer: A. Petechiae (✓)
17. Which tube should be drawn for a routine coagulation test (PT/PTT)?
A. Lavender-top
B. Light Blue-top
C. Green-top
D. Gray-top
Answer: B. Light Blue-top (✓)
18. The purpose of an antiglycolytic agent (like sodium fluoride) in a gray-top tube is to:
A. Prevent clotting.
B. Preserve glucose.
C. Bind calcium.
D. Separate plasma.
Answer: B. Preserve glucose. (✓)
19. If a blood spill occurs, the first step is to:
A. Pour disinfectant on it.
B. Notify a supervisor.
C. Contain the spill with paper towels.
D. Evacuate the area.
Answer: C. Contain the spill with paper towels. (✓)
20. Which of the following is the correct way to label a specimen tube at the patient's
bedside?
A. Ask the patient to write their name on the tube.
B. Label the tube after leaving the patient's room.
C. Label the tube with the patient's full name, DOB, date, time, and your initials.
D. Pre-label the tubes before entering the room to save time.
Answer: C. Label the tube with the patient's full name, DOB, date, time, and your
initials. (✓)
Section 2: Patient Preparation & Identification (15 Questions)
21. The most critical step in the venipuncture process is:
A. Proper patient identification.
B. Selecting the correct needle gauge.
