Phlebotomy Practice Test

Updated October 27, 2026

1. (Patient Preparation) What is the first thing a phlebotomist should do when meeting a patient for a draw?
   A.Apply the tourniquetB.Identify the patient using at least two identifiersC.Select the tubesD.Ask the patient to make a fist
2. (Routine Collections) Which tube is drawn immediately after blood cultures in the order of draw?
   A.LavenderB.GrayC.Light blueD.Green
3. (Routine Collections) At what angle should the needle be inserted for a routine venipuncture?
   A.15 to 30 degreesB.45 to 60 degreesC.90 degreesD.5 degrees
4. (Special Collections) A glucose tolerance test begins with:
   A.A random sample after lunchB.A sample collected only after the glucose drinkC.A heel stickD.A fasting sample before the glucose drink
5. (Processing) Which result is most likely to be falsely increased by hemolysis?
   A.PotassiumB.SodiumC.GlucoseD.Chloride
6. (Safety) Which item should NOT be used as a patient identifier?
   A.Full nameB.Date of birthC.Room numberD.Medical record number
7. (Patient Preparation) A patient says they ate breakfast before a fasting test. What should the phlebotomist do?
   A.Draw the specimen and say nothingB.Refuse to ever draw the patientC.Follow the facility's procedure: notify the provider or lab, and if the draw goes ahead, note on the requisition that the patient wasn't fastingD.Tell the patient to drink water and draw anyway
8. (Routine Collections) How long should a tourniquet stay on the arm before it is released?
   A.No more than about 1 minuteB.At least 3 minutesC.5 minutesD.Until the collection is finished, however long it takes
9. (Routine Collections) Which vein is usually the first choice for venipuncture in the antecubital area?
   A.Basilic veinB.Cephalic veinC.Median cubital veinD.Femoral vein
10. (Routine Collections) A patient has an IV running in the left arm. Where should the phlebotomist collect blood?
    A.Above the IV site in the same armB.From the IV line itselfC.Directly through the IV catheterD.From the other arm if possible, or below the IV after it's stopped per facility policy
11. (Patient Preparation) Which area should be avoided for venipuncture?
    A.The arm on the side of a recent mastectomyB.The median cubital veinC.The back of the hand when antecubital veins aren't availableD.The non-dominant arm
12. (Special Collections) Which test requires the specimen to be chilled right after collection?
    A.Complete blood countB.AmmoniaC.Blood typeD.Hemoglobin A1C
13. (Special Collections) Which specimen must be protected from light?
    A.GlucoseB.BilirubinC.PotassiumD.Hemoglobin
14. (Processing) How long should a serum tube with clot activator typically stand before centrifuging?
    A.1 minuteB.It can be spun immediatelyC.Several hoursD.Long enough to clot fully, commonly about 30 minutes, per the tube manufacturer
15. (Safety) What should a phlebotomist do immediately after a needlestick injury?
    A.Wash the area with soap and water and report it right awayB.Finish the shift and report it the next dayC.Squeeze the wound and cover it without reportingD.Apply bleach to the skin
16. (Patient Preparation) A patient tells you they feel faint during the draw. What should you do first?
    A.Continue quickly to finish the drawB.Release the tourniquet, remove the needle, and lower the patient's head or help them lie downC.Leave the patient to get helpD.Give the patient a cold drink and keep drawing