Phlebotomist Terms & Vocabulary: 15 Key Definitions

Key phlebotomist vocabulary

These 15 terms come up constantly in phlebotomist training, on the job and in interviews. Knowing them helps you follow instructions, document accurately and sound prepared.

Antecubital fossa: The inner bend of the elbow, where the median cubital, cephalic and basilic veins are commonly used.
Butterfly needle: A winged infusion set used for small, fragile or hard-to-reach veins.
Capillary puncture: A fingerstick or heelstick used to collect small blood volumes.
Centrifuge: A machine that spins samples to separate serum or plasma from cells.
Chain of custody: Documentation that tracks who handled a specimen, used for legal and drug-testing samples.
EDTA (lavender top): An anticoagulant tube used for complete blood counts (CBC).
Evacuated tube: A vacuum-sealed collection tube that fills automatically; cap color indicates the additive.
Fasting specimen: A sample drawn after the patient has had no food (usually 8–12 hours), such as for glucose or lipids.
Hematoma: A bruise-like swelling caused by blood leaking into tissue around the puncture site.
Hemolysis: Rupture of red blood cells in a sample, which can make results inaccurate.
Order of draw: The required sequence for filling tubes so additives don’t contaminate later tubes.
Serum: The liquid part of clotted blood, collected in tubes without anticoagulant.
Syncope: Fainting, which can happen during or after a blood draw.
Tourniquet: A band applied above the site to make veins easier to find; it should stay on no longer than one minute.
Venipuncture: Collecting blood by puncturing a vein, usually in the antecubital area of the arm.

Practice these terms

Test yourself with the free Phlebotomist practice test: it includes vocabulary questions built from this list. For a complete course, see Phlebotomist training.

Browse terms from every career in our career glossary.