COLLECTION OF BLOOD
AND NON BLOOD
SPECIMENS PRACTICE
EXAM
Question 1: A patient who has never had venipuncture appears anxious and asks
what will happen. What is the best response by the phlebotomy technician?
Choices:
1) Proceed without discussion so the patient does not become more anxious 2) Brie�y explain the purpose and steps of the collection and answer the patient’s questions 3) Ask another patient in the room to describe the procedure 4) Explain only after the specimen has been collected Correct Answer: Brie�y explain the purpose and steps of the collection and answer the patient’s questions Explanation: A clear, brief explanation supports informed cooperation and helps reduce anxiety. The technician should describe what will occur in understandable language and address questions before collecting the specimen.Page 1
Question 2: Which sequence follows the CLSI venipuncture order of draw for these specimens?
Choices:
1) Blood culture, light blue, serum, green, lavender, gray 2) Light blue, blood culture, green, serum, gray, lavender 3) Serum, blood culture, light blue, lavender, green, gray 4) Blood culture, serum, light blue, lavender, green, gray
Correct Answer: Blood culture, light blue, serum, green, lavender, gray
Explanation: CLSI places blood cultures �rst, followed by sodium citrate, serum, heparin, EDTA, and �nally �uoride/oxalate tubes. This order reduces additive carryover between tubes.Question 3: After a serum tube has been �lled during a routine multi-tube venipuncture, which tube should generally be collected next when all standard tube types are ordered?
Choices:
1) Gray �uoride/oxalate tube 2) Lavender EDTA tube 3) Green heparin tube 4) Light blue sodium citrate tube
Correct Answer: Green heparin tube
Explanation: In the CLSI order of draw, serum tubes are followed by heparin tubes. EDTA and gray glycolytic-inhibitor tubes come later, while citrate tubes are collected before serum.Page 2
Question 4: A laboratory order includes a STAT potassium and a routine lipid panel for the same patient. Which specimen should be prioritized?
Choices:
1) The routine lipid panel because it usually requires more blood 2) The STAT potassium because STAT orders require immediate collection and processing 3) Whichever tube appears �rst on the requisition 4) The lipid panel because serum tests are always collected before plasma tests Correct Answer: The STAT potassium because STAT orders require immediate collection and processing Explanation: STAT testing is ordered because the result is urgently needed for patient care. The STAT specimen should therefore be collected and sent for testing without unnecessary delay.Question 5: A timed drug level is ordered for exactly 8:00 AM, and a routine CBC is also pending. What is the best collection plan?
Choices:
1) Collect both whenever the phlebotomist reaches the unit 2) Collect the CBC �rst even if the timed specimen becomes late 3) Prioritize the timed drug level so it is collected at the prescribed time
4) Delay both specimens until after 9:00 AM
Correct Answer: Prioritize the timed drug level so it is collected at the prescribed time Explanation: Timed specimens must be collected at the speci�ed time because interpretation may depend on the exact interval from a dose or physiologic event. Routine work should not cause the timed draw to be missed.Page 3