NCPT Domain 3: Specimen Collection Welcome to your NCPT Domain 3: Specimen Collection 1. NCPT: Specimen Collection What is the recommended angle of needle insertion for a standard venipuncture? A. 15-30 degrees B. 30-45 degrees C. 45-60 degrees D. 60-75 degrees None 2. NCPT: Specimen Collection When collecting blood from a patient with a coagulation disorder, what special consideration should be taken? A. Use a larger bore needle to prevent hemolysis. B. Apply prolonged pressure to the puncture site post-draw. C. Increase the tourniquet time for better vein selection. D. Collect a smaller volume of blood to reduce patient impact. None 3. NCPT: Specimen Collection What is the most critical action to perform if a patient develops a hematoma during a blood draw? A. Continue the draw until the required volume is obtained. B. Immediately stop the draw and remove the needle. C. Apply a warm compress to the site. D. Elevate the patient's arm above heart level. None 4. NCPT: Specimen Collection What is the appropriate course of action when blood does not appear in the tube after needle insertion? A. Reinsert the needle deeper into the tissue. B. Adjust the needle position slightly while maintaining insertion depth. C. Immediately remove the needle and apply pressure. D. Attempt the draw with a new needle in the other arm. None 5. NCPT: Specimen Collection Which type of specimen collection requires the maintenance of a specific temperature range from collection to processing? A. Hematology tests B. Blood cultures C. Cold agglutinins D. Routine chemistry tests None 6. NCPT: Specimen Collection In the event of a venipuncture-induced nerve injury, what is the initial step the phlebotomist should take? A. Ask the patient to move their fingers to assess mobility. B. Immediately remove the needle and document the incident. C. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. D. Continue the draw to minimize the number of venipunctures. None 7. NCPT: Specimen Collection What is the importance of mixing an EDTA tube immediately after collection? A. To prevent clotting of the specimen B. To enhance the separation of plasma C. To prevent hemolysis D. To dissolve the EDTA completely None 8. NCPT: Specimen Collection Which antiseptic is preferred for cleaning the venipuncture site when drawing a blood culture specimen? A. 70% isopropyl alcohol B. Povidone-iodine C. Chlorhexidine gluconate D. Hydrogen peroxide None 9. NCPT: Specimen Collection How should a phlebotomist proceed with a blood collection for a patient undergoing anticoagulant therapy? A. Use a smaller gauge needle to minimize bleeding. B. Increase the angle of needle insertion. C. Decrease the amount of blood drawn. D. Use a syringe draw technique and apply pressure for a longer duration post-draw. None 10. NCPT: Specimen Collection What is the most appropriate action for ensuring specimen integrity when drawing a lipid panel? A. Collect the specimen at any time, regardless of food intake. B. Ensure the patient has fasted for at least 12 hours. C. Position the patient standing up during collection. D. Apply heat to the collection site to increase blood flow. None 11. NCPT: Specimen Collection When is it necessary to perform a capillary puncture rather than a venipuncture? A. When large volumes of blood are required. B. When a patient's veins are too fragile for venipuncture. C. When blood gases are the primary tests required. D. When the patient requests a less painful method. None 12. NCPT: Specimen Collection When collecting a specimen for a coagulation test from a patient with a heparin lock, what is the appropriate procedure? A. Use the heparin lock directly for specimen collection. B. Flush the lock with saline, then proceed with specimen collection. C. Draw and discard a small volume of blood, then collect the specimen. D. Increase the volume of blood drawn to dilute the heparin. None 13. NCPT: Specimen Collection What is the recommended course of action if the first attempt at venipuncture is unsuccessful? A. Attempt the venipuncture again immediately in the same vein. B. Select a different site and use a new needle for the second attempt. C. Apply a warm compress to the area and try again. D. Proceed with a fingerstick method if appropriate. None 14. NCPT: Specimen Collection For which type of test is it crucial to maintain the specimen at body temperature after collection? A. Complete blood count 'CBC' B. Blood cultures C. Cold agglutinins D. Serum electrolytes None 15. NCPT: Specimen Collection What is the primary reason for inverting a tube containing EDTA after collection? A. To prevent hemolysis B. To activate the anticoagulant properties C. To ensure proper mixing of blood with the additive D. To prevent clotting of the specimen None 16. NCPT: Specimen Collection When performing a dermal puncture, which site is generally recommended to minimize the risk of injury to the patient? A. The central area of the fingertip B. The side of the fingertip C. The heel for infants and lateral finger for adults D. The top of the hand None 17. NCPT: Specimen Collection What is the most appropriate action when a patient has an edematous extremity where the venipuncture needs to be performed? A. Use the edematous extremity, as it will be easier to locate the veins. B. Apply a tourniquet above the edema to reduce swelling. C. Select an alternative site for the venipuncture. D. Perform the venipuncture without a tourniquet. None 18. NCPT: Specimen Collection In what order should specimens be collected when performing a venipuncture? A. Blood culture, coagulation tube, serum tube, heparin tube, EDTA tube, glycolytic inhibitor tube B. Coagulation tube, blood culture, serum tube, EDTA tube, heparin tube, glycolytic inhibitor tube C. Serum tube, blood culture, coagulation tube, EDTA tube, heparin tube, glycolytic inhibitor tube D. Blood culture, serum tube, coagulation tube, heparin tube, EDTA tube, glycolytic inhibitor tube None 19. NCPT: Specimen Collection How should a phlebotomist proceed if a patient is taking anticoagulant medication and requires a venipuncture? A. Avoid the venipuncture and use a dermal puncture instead. B. Apply additional pressure after the needle is removed to ensure proper hemostasis. C. Increase the size of the needle to allow for a quicker draw. D. Decrease the angle of insertion to avoid penetrating through the vein. None 20. NCPT: Specimen Collection What is the primary reason for discarding the first 1-2 mL of blood when collecting a specimen for lead testing? A. To warm up the vein and increase blood flow. B. To ensure the blood is free from lead contamination from the skin. C. To reduce the viscosity of the blood for easier collection. D. To remove any air bubbles that may be present in the syringe. None 21. NCPT: Specimen Collection When collecting blood from a patient with a history of mastectomy, what is an important consideration to take into account? A. Always use the arm on the same side as the mastectomy. B. Avoid using a tourniquet on either arm. C. Do not perform venipuncture on the same side as the mastectomy. D. Use only a butterfly needle for venipuncture on these patients. None 22. NCPT: Specimen Collection What is the recommended course of action when a blood specimen tube appears underfilled? A. Top off the tube with saline to reach the fill line. B. Centrifuge the tube longer to compensate for the low volume. C. Label the tube as underfilled and send it for testing. D. Discard the tube and collect a new specimen, ensuring adequate fill. None 23. NCPT: Specimen Collection In what situation is it appropriate to perform a venipuncture immediately above an IV site? A. When the IV has been turned off for at least 2 minutes. B. If the patient has no other accessible veins. C. When drawing blood for a complete blood count (CBC). D. This practice should be avoided to prevent contamination and inaccurate results. None 24. NCPT: Specimen Collection Which technique is recommended to prevent hemolysis of the blood specimen during collection? A. Using the smallest gauge needle possible for the venipuncture. B. Filling the tube quickly to avoid prolonged tourniquet application. C. Allowing the alcohol to dry completely before inserting the needle. D. Drawing the blood slowly and smoothly into the tube. None 25. NCPT: Specimen Collection When collecting blood for a potassium test, why is it important to avoid fist clenching by the patient? A. Clenching can cause an increase in body temperature, affecting the result. B. It can lead to prolonged tourniquet application. C. Clenching can lead to hemoconcentration and falsely elevated potassium levels. D. It increases the risk of vein collapse during the draw. None 26. NCPT: Specimen Collection What is the optimal blood-to-additive ratio for a light blue top tube used for coagulation testing? A. 4:01 B. 9:01 C. 1:04 D. 1:09 None 27. NCPT: Specimen Collection When is the use of a syringe preferred over a vacuum tube system for blood collection? A. When collecting a large volume of blood is necessary. B. When the patient has fragile, small, or difficult-to-access veins. C. When the patient has a high risk of infection. D. When faster collection times are required. None 28. NCPT: Specimen Collection How should the phlebotomist proceed if there is a discrepancy between the patient's verbal confirmation and the identification on their wristband? A. Proceed with the blood draw and note the discrepancy in the patient's file. B. Use the identification information from the patient's wristband for labeling. C. Delay the blood draw and verify the patient's identity through medical records or staff. D. Ask another patient in the room to confirm the patient's identity. None 29. NCPT: Specimen Collection What is the primary purpose of warming the puncture site prior to performing a capillary blood collection? A. To reduce the sensation of pain. B. To increase blood flow and enhance the quality of the sample. C. To sterilize the skin surface. D. To relax the patient before the procedure. None 30. NCPT: Specimen Collection In a patient with a right mastectomy and a left arm intravenous (IV) line, where should the phlebotomist collect the blood specimen? A. The right arm, avoiding the mastectomy site. B. The left arm below the IV line. C. The left arm above the IV line. D. Distal to the IV line on the left hand. None 1 out of 30 Time is Up! Time's up
