Ch8 Routine Venipuncture Test Questions & Answers

Chapter 8: Routine Venipuncture

Multiple Choice

1. Basic information that should be present on all requisition forms includes all of the following except the:

A. patient’s location.

B. patient’s identification number.

C. tests requested.

D. type of collection tubes.

2. To aid in specimen processing, requisition forms may contain:

A. special collection information.

B. the phlebotomist’s initials.

C. a bar code.

D. the patient’s date of birth.

3. The most important procedure in phlebotomy is to:

A. organize equipment at the bedside.

B. introduce yourself to the patient.

C. initial the requisition form.

D. identify the patient correctly.

4. All of the following are used to identify a patient except the:

A. bed sign.

B. requisition form.

C. identification band.

D. bar codes.

5. The most important purpose of a requisition form is:

A. authorization to perform the procedure.

B. providing a system to report results.

C. location of the patient.

D. monitoring test result turnaround time.

6. Proper specimen collection begins with:

A. sanitizing the hands.

B. locating the patient.

C. requisitioning.

D. organizing the equipment.

7. Before you draw a blood specimen, you must always:

A. check the patient’s identification number and name on the wrist band.

B. label the tube.

C. ask the nurse in charge to identify the patient.

D. tell the patient what type of blood test you are going to perform.

8. When encountering a patient with casts on both arms and no wrist band, the phlebotomist should first:

A. check the casts for the patient identification number.

B. ask the patient if his name is John Jones.

C. check the patient’s ankles.

D. look for the identification band on the nightstand.

9. Blood should not be drawn from a patient who is:

A. standing.

B. nervous.

C. unable to make a fist.

D. not fasting.

10. Patient reassurance includes:

A. explaining the purpose of the tests ordered.

B. lowering the bedrails.

C. briefly explaining the procedure.

D. assuring the patient the procedure will not hurt.

11. Failure to check the requisition form prior to leaving the laboratory may cause the phlebotomist to:

A. collect the wrong specimen.

B. have inadequate equipment.

C. misidentify the patient.

D. require assistance from the nurse.

12. When organizing equipment at the patient’s bedside, it is important to:

A. place all the necessary equipment on the nightstand.

B. apply the tourniquet first.

C. set the phlebotomy tray on the patient’s bed.

D. have extra evacuated tubes readily available.

13. The maximum time a tourniquet should remain on the patient’s arm is:

A. 1 minute.

B. 2 minutes.

C. 3 minutes.

D. 5 minutes.

14. The vein of choice for routine venipuncture is the:

A. median cubital.

B. radial.

C. cephalic.

D. basilic.

15. The vein located on the thumb side of the arm is the:

A. brachial.

B. median cubital.

C. basilic.

D. cephalic.

16. A large, rigid cord located during palpation indicates:

A. an acceptable vein.

B. the brachial artery.

C. a tendon.

D. an unacceptable vein.

17. Palpate means to:

A. perform a venipuncture.

B. examine by touch.

C. examine by sound.

D. obtain a specimen from an intravenous line.

18. Prolonged application of a tourniquet will cause:

A. excessive bleeding.

B. difficulty locating a vein.

C. hemolysis.

D. both A and C.

19. The appearance of petechiae on a patient’s arm during site selection indicates that the:

A. patient has deep veins.

B. tourniquet is tied too tightly.

C. basilic vein should not be used.

D. radial pulse beat is very strong.

20. Failure to allow the alcohol to dry on the patient’s arm after site cleansing can cause all of the following except:

A. increased bacteriostatic action.

B. a stinging sensation for the patient.

C. a possible unsterile site.

D. specimen hemolysis.

21. Correct palpation of a vein includes all of the following except:

A. determining the depth of the vein.

B. detecting a pulse using the thumb.

C. determining the direction of the vein.

D. probing with the index finger.

22. Hemoconcentration can be caused by:

A. prolonged tourniquet application.

B. intravenous therapy.

C. excessive probing.

D. failure to clench the fist.

23. Firmly anchoring the vein prior to needle insertion is necessary to prevent:

A. specimen hemolysis.

B. incompletely filled tubes.

C. an accidental needlestick.

D. the vein from rolling.

24. Which of the following is performed first when the last tube is collected?

A. Gauze is placed over the needle.

B. The filled tube is removed from the holder.

C. The needle is removed.

D. Pressure is applied to the site.

25. After needle removal, pressure is applied to the site:

A. by having the patient bend the elbow.

B. after labeling the tubes.

C. prior to removing the tourniquet.

D. to prevent hematoma formation.

26. When collecting specimens in a patient’s room, tubes are routinely labeled:

A. prior to collecting the blood.

B. using preprinted labels.

C. after collecting the blood.

D. after leaving the patient’s room.

27. Prior to bandaging the puncture site, the phlebotomist should:

A. thank the patient.

B. instruct a fasting patient to eat.

C. examine the site for bleeding.

D. apply pressure for at least 5 minutes.

28. An example of improper disposal of venipuncture supplies and equipment is:

A. placing gauze and alcohol pads in a biohazard container.

B. recapping the needle.

C. removing gloves and sanitizing hands.

D. placing the plastic needle cover in the wastebasket.

29. During the venipuncture, the phlebotomist should do all of the following except:

A. anchor the vein above and below the puncture site.

B. insert the needle with the bevel up.

C. insert the needle at a 15- to 30-degree angle.

D. brace the hand holding the holder on the patient’s arm.

30. Tubes are angled downward during blood collection to:

A. ensure they fill completely.

B. prevent patient discomfort.

C. prevent blood refluxing into the needle.

D. ensure mixing of blood and anticoagulant.

31. Bracing the hand holding the needle assembly against the patient’s arm:

A. decreases the patient discomfort.

B. prevents excess needle movement.

C. decreases the possibility of hemolysis.

D. causes the tubes to fill more quickly.

32. A properly labeled tube must have all of the following information except:

A. patient location.

B. patient identification number.

C. date of collection.

D. phlebotomist’s initials.

33. Which specimen should be collected last?

A. STAT specimen.

B. Specimen requiring special handling.

C. Clotted specimen.

D. Fasting specimen.

34. Failure to deliver glucose drawn in a plasma separator tube (PST) to the laboratory within the recommended time will cause:

A. a falsely decreased glucose value.

B. a falsely increased glucose value.

C. glycolysis.

D. both A and C.

35. Two identifiers for patient identification before specimen collection are routinely secured by all the following means except:

A. verifying the patient’s identification number on the wrist or ankle identification band.

B. asking the patient to state his or her first name and last name.

C. asking the patient, “Are you John Doe?” or, “Are you Mary Doe?”

D. comparing information obtained verbally and from the patient’s identification band with the information on the test requisition.

36. The Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute (CLSI) recommends that all patient specimens are delivered to the laboratory no more than 2 hours after collection to reduce pre-examination variables caused by cellular action and the effects of prolonged exposure of specimens to room temperatures, such as:

A. glycolysis caused by cells’ use of glucose; hemolysis and leakage of potassium from the cells into the plasma or serum; and the destruction of coagulation factors from exposure to room temperatures.

B. leakage of coagulation factors into the serum or plasma by cellular metabolism; increased potassium values caused by exposure to room temperature; and increased glucose values caused by cellular metabolism.

C. glycolysis caused by leakage from cells; increased levels of coagulation factors caused by prolonged exposure to room temperatures; and decreased potassium levels caused by cellular metabolism.

D. glycolysis caused by exposure to room temperatures; hemolysis and leakage of coagulation factors from the cells; and decreased potassium levels in the serum and plasma by cellular utilization.

37. Identify the patient.

38. Remove the needle and apply pressure.

39. Obtain a requisition form.

40. Activate the needle safety device.

41. Label the tubes.

42. Anchor the vein.

43. Cleanse the site.

44. Insert the needle.

KEY: Topic: Venipuncture technique

DIF: Level 1

Learning Objective: 8.10

KEY: Topic: Venipuncture technique

DIF: Level 1

Learning Objective: 8.10

KEY: Topic: Venipuncture technique

DIF: Level 1

Learning Objective: 8.10

KEY: Topic: Venipuncture technique

DIF: Level 1

Learning Objective: 8.10

Short Answers

45. List the three veins used most frequently for venipuncture. Which of these veins is the vein of choice?

46. What is the purpose of the test requisition form?

47. Describe the reasons why a tourniquet should only be on an arm for one minute.