NCPT Domain 2: Preparing for Specimen Collection Welcome to your NCPT Domain 2: Preparing for Specimen Collection 1. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. What is the recommended procedure if a patient's identification cannot be verbally confirmed? A. Proceed with specimen collection based on bed number. B. Ask a family member to confirm the patient's identity. C. Check the patient's medical record for photo identification. D. Do not proceed until identity can be confirmed by nursing or medical staff. None 2. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. Which of the following is the most appropriate action when preparing to collect a blood specimen from a patient with a history of syncope? A. Collect the specimen while the patient is standing. B. Have the patient lie down or sit in a reclining chair for the collection. C. Increase the tourniquet time to reduce the collection duration. D. Use a smaller gauge needle to expedite the collection process. None 3. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. In which circumstance is it acceptable to use a wristband for patient identification? A. When the patient is unconscious B. When the patient's arm band is missing C. Never; wristbands are not an acceptable form of identification D. During pediatric collections when arm bands are too large None 4. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. How should a phlebotomist proceed if the order of draw cannot be followed due to the patient's vein condition? A. Skip the tubes that cannot be collected. B. Collect the tubes in any order, noting the deviation. C. Use a butterfly needle to ensure adherence to the order of draw. D. Consult with a supervisor or healthcare provider for alternative instructions. None 5. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. What is the correct action when a patient refuses blood draw after all preparatory steps have been taken? A. Inform the patient of the consequences and proceed with the draw. B. Document the refusal and notify the ordering physician immediately. C. Persuade the patient by explaining the importance of the test. D. Wait for a few minutes and attempt the draw again. None 6. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. Which of the following is a critical step in preparing for an arterial blood gas (ABG) collection? A. Warming the site for 1 minute to increase vein dilation. B. Performing the Allen test to evaluate ulnar artery circulation. C. Using a tourniquet to increase arterial pressure. D. Selecting a vein in the antecubital fossa for collection. None 7. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. What is the importance of asking a patient about anticoagulant therapy before a venipuncture? A. To choose a larger gauge needle for the collection B. To prepare for immediate application of pressure post-collection C. To adjust the volume of blood to be collected D. To determine the need for a tourniquet during collection None 8. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. How should the phlebotomist proceed if the patient's arm exhibits signs of intravenous drug use? A. Avoid using the arm with visible signs of drug use and select an alternative site. B. Proceed with the draw from the site with the most visible vein. C. Clean the site with an alcohol pad for a longer duration. D. Apply a tourniquet above and below the site to ensure vein prominence. None 9. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. What action should a phlebotomist take when a patient is found to be fasting unexpectedly for a routine blood draw? A. Proceed with the draw as it may benefit certain test results. B. Reschedule the patient for a non-fasting blood draw. C. Notify the ordering physician to determine if the fasting state affects the tests ordered. D. Only collect non-glucose or lipid profile tests. None 10. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. Which of the following is an essential consideration when collecting a specimen for a cold agglutinin test? A. The specimen must be kept at body temperature until testing. B. The tourniquet application time should be extended to ensure vein distension. C. The specimen should be immediately placed in an ice bath after collection. D. Fasting is required for 12 hours before specimen collection. None 11. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. What is the best practice for labeling specimen tubes collected during a phlebotomy procedure? A. Label the tubes before the procedure begins. B. Label the tubes immediately after collection while still in the presence of the patient. C. Label the tubes at the end of the day for efficiency. D. Have the patient label the tubes to ensure accuracy. None 12. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. What is the primary reason for inverting anticoagulant tubes immediately after blood collection? A. To cool the blood specimen B. To prevent clot formation C. To separate the plasma from the cells D. To mix the blood with the anticoagulant None 13. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. When collecting blood specimens from a patient with a left-sided mastectomy, what is the preferred site for venipuncture? A. The right arm B. The left arm C. Either arm, if no lymph nodes were removed D. The hand on the side of the mastectomy None 14. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. Which of the following is a critical step when preparing to collect a blood specimen for a light-sensitive analyte? A. Chilling the tube prior to collection B. Wrapping the tube in aluminum foil immediately after collection C. Exposing the tube to light for 5 minutes before labeling D. Using a clear tube to ensure visibility of the specimen None 15. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. For a patient on hemodialysis, what is the recommended venipuncture site? A. The arm with the fistula or graft B. The arm opposite the fistula or graft C. Any accessible vein in the legs D. The jugular vein as an alternative None 16. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. What is the appropriate action if the phlebotomist notices a rash at the intended venipuncture site? A. Proceed with the draw after applying an antiseptic cream B. Choose an alternative site for the venipuncture C. Cover the rash with a bandage before proceeding D. Clean the rash area with extra antiseptic swabs None 17. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. What is the significance of the "order of draw" in phlebotomy? A. To prioritize patient comfort during the procedure B. To enhance the efficiency of specimen collection C. To prevent cross-contamination between different additives in collection tubes D. To determine which specimens require fasting None 18. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. In pediatric phlebotomy, what is the maximum volume of blood that should be collected in a single draw? A. 1% of the child's total blood volume B. 3% of the child's total blood volume in a single draw C. 5 mL per kilogram of the child's body weight D. 10% of the child's total blood volume in a 24-hour period None 19. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. What is the primary reason for using a syringe for blood collection instead of a vacuum tube system? A. To collect a larger volume of blood B. To minimize the risk of hemolysis in fragile veins C. To speed up the collection process D. To avoid the use of anticoagulants None 20. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. When preparing for a glucose tolerance test (GTT), what is the initial step before beginning the test? A. Administer a standard glucose dose intravenously B. Have the patient fast for 8-12 hours C. Collect a urine sample for baseline measurement D. Give the patient a high-carbohydrate meal None 21. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. In the event of an accidental needlestick injury to the phlebotomist after drawing blood from a patient, what is the first step that should be taken? A. Immediately wash the area with soap and water. B. Apply a bandage to the injury site. C. Recap the needle to prevent further injury. D. Continue with the next patient to maintain workflow. None 22. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. What is the appropriate technique for mixing anticoagulated blood tubes after collection? A. Vigorously shaking the tubes. B. Inverting the tubes 3-5 times gently. C. Centrifuging immediately after collection. D. Allowing the tubes to sit undisturbed for 10 minutes. None 23. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. When preparing to collect a specimen for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), what is crucial to ensure accurate results? A. Collecting the specimen exactly one hour after medication administration. B. Ensuring the specimen is collected at the specified time relative to the last dose. C. Refrigerating the specimen for at least 30 minutes before processing. D. Collecting a large volume of blood to allow for multiple tests. None 24. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. What is the most appropriate action if a patient has a seizure during a blood collection procedure? A. Continue the blood draw to complete the procedure quickly. B. Remove the needle and apply pressure to the site immediately. C. Try to restrain the patient to prevent injury. D. Administer anticonvulsant medication if available. None 25. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. For a patient with a difficult venous access, what alternative site can be considered for blood collection? A. The carotid artery B. The dorsal hand veins using a butterfly needle C. The femoral vein D. The antecubital veins of the feet None 26. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. What is the primary reason for avoiding the use of an alcohol swab when collecting a blood alcohol concentration 'BAC' specimen? A. Alcohol swabs can cause hemolysis. B. The alcohol residue may contaminate the specimen and affect the BAC result. C. Alcohol swabs are ineffective in sterilizing the site. D. The use of alcohol swabs increases patient discomfort. None 27. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. When collecting a specimen for a coagulation test, such as PT/INR, why is it important to fill the tube to the recommended fill line? A. To ensure an accurate ratio of blood to anticoagulant for reliable results. B. To avoid dilution of the specimen with anticoagulant. C. To prevent clotting of the specimen before testing. D. To ensure there is enough specimen for retesting if needed. None 28. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. What is the significance of assessing a patient's hydration status prior to venipuncture? A. Dehydration can lead to decreased vein visibility and palpability. B. Overhydration can dilute blood specimens, affecting test results. C. Hydration status has no significant impact on venipuncture. D. Assessing hydration ensures the patient is prepared for fasting tests. None 29. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. When is it appropriate to use a winged infusion set (butterfly needle) for blood collection? A. When a large volume of blood is required quickly. B. For patients with difficult venous access or fragile veins. C. For arterial blood gas collections. D. When using a vacuum tube system is contraindicated. None 30. NCPT: Preparing for Specimen Collection. How should the phlebotomist proceed if the patient's arm exhibits signs of intravenous drug use? A. Avoid using the arm with visible signs of drug use and select an alternative site. B. Proceed with the draw from the site with the most visible vein. C. Clean the site with an alcohol pad for a longer duration. D. Apply a tourniquet above and below the site to ensure vein prominence. None 1 out of 30 Time is Up! Time's up
