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Phlebotomy Daily Question

Past questions

Try each one first, then tap to see the answer and the explanation.

Question 1 · Processing

A lavender (EDTA) tube collected for a complete blood count contains a visible clot after proper inversion. What should the phlebotomist do?

  • A. Reject the specimen and arrange recollection in a new lavender (EDTA) tube
  • B. Vortex the tube vigorously and resubmit it for testing
  • C. Transfer the liquid portion into a plain red tube and centrifuge
  • D. Add additional EDTA powder and remix the specimen
Show the answer
A. Reject the specimen and arrange recollection in a new lavender (EDTA) tube

A clotted EDTA specimen cannot be used for hematology testing and must be rejected and recollected.

Question 2 · Processing

A serum tube has just been collected. What must occur before the tube is centrifuged?

  • A. The tube must be placed on ice immediately.
  • B. The tube must be inverted vigorously for one full minute.
  • C. The tube must be allowed to clot upright for the recommended time.
  • D. The tube must be centrifuged within five minutes of collection.
Show the answer
C. The tube must be allowed to clot upright for the recommended time.

A serum tube must clot completely while upright before centrifugation.

Question 3 · Processing

When a critical value is phoned to a nurse, what is the nurse asked to do?

  • A. Spell their address
  • B. Call back the next day
  • C. Read the value back
  • D. Sign a paper form
Show the answer
C. Read the value back

Read-back confirms the value was heard correctly; the call is documented.

Question 4 · Processing

A serum specimen is dark yellow. What does this most likely show?

  • A. High bilirubin
  • B. Hemolysis
  • C. Fat from a meal
  • D. Clotting
Show the answer
A. High bilirubin

Icteric (dark yellow) serum is caused by high bilirubin.

Question 5 · Processing

The laboratory notifies the phlebotomist that a submitted tube contains insufficient volume for the ordered tests.

What should be documented or reported?

  • A. Only the original collection time.
  • B. The patient's verbal consent for the first draw.
  • C. The needle gauge that was used.
  • D. Quantity not sufficient and the need for recollection.
Show the answer
D. Quantity not sufficient and the need for recollection.

QNS must be documented and a recollection requested so the ordered tests can be completed.

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