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Phlebotomist Practice Test

Check what you know about the phlebotomist job with 15 free questions and instant explanations.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
About this practice test

15 multiple-choice questions on phlebotomist knowledge, safety and vocabulary. Submit to see your score and explanations, or open any question’s answer as you go. Nothing is saved or shared.

Question 1 of 15Which tube is typically drawn first in the order of draw?
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Answer: Blood culture bottles or sterile tubes. Sterile blood culture specimens come first to prevent contamination.

Question 2 of 15What is the maximum time a tourniquet should remain on?
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Answer: 1 minute. Leaving a tourniquet on more than one minute can cause hemoconcentration.

Question 3 of 15When should tubes be labeled?
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Answer: At the bedside, after collection, in front of the patient. Labeling at the bedside after collection prevents mix-ups.

Question 4 of 15A lavender-top tube contains which additive?
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Answer: EDTA. Lavender tops contain EDTA and are commonly used for CBCs.

Question 5 of 15Rupture of red blood cells in a sample is called:
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Answer: Hemolysis. Hemolysis can make potassium and other results inaccurate.

Question 6 of 15Which term matches this definition: “A sample drawn after the patient has had no food (usually 8–12 hours), such as for glucose or lipids.”
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Answer: Fasting specimen. Fasting specimen: A sample drawn after the patient has had no food (usually 8–12 hours), such as for glucose or lipids.

Question 7 of 15What does “EDTA (lavender top)” mean?
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Answer: An anticoagulant tube used for complete blood counts (CBC).. EDTA (lavender top): An anticoagulant tube used for complete blood counts (CBC).

Question 8 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Collecting blood by puncturing a vein, usually in the antecubital area of the arm.”
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Answer: Venipuncture. Venipuncture: Collecting blood by puncturing a vein, usually in the antecubital area of the arm.

Question 9 of 15What does “Evacuated tube” mean?
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Answer: A vacuum-sealed collection tube that fills automatically; cap color indicates the additive.. Evacuated tube: A vacuum-sealed collection tube that fills automatically; cap color indicates the additive.

Question 10 of 15Which term matches this definition: “The inner bend of the elbow, where the median cubital, cephalic and basilic veins are commonly used.”
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Answer: Antecubital fossa. Antecubital fossa: The inner bend of the elbow, where the median cubital, cephalic and basilic veins are commonly used.

Question 11 of 15What does “Centrifuge” mean?
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Answer: A machine that spins samples to separate serum or plasma from cells.. Centrifuge: A machine that spins samples to separate serum or plasma from cells.

Question 12 of 15Which term matches this definition: “The liquid part of clotted blood, collected in tubes without anticoagulant.”
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Answer: Serum. Serum: The liquid part of clotted blood, collected in tubes without anticoagulant.

Question 13 of 15What does “Capillary puncture” mean?
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Answer: A fingerstick or heelstick used to collect small blood volumes.. Capillary puncture: A fingerstick or heelstick used to collect small blood volumes.

Question 14 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Documentation that tracks who handled a specimen, used for legal and drug-testing samples.”
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Answer: Chain of custody. Chain of custody: Documentation that tracks who handled a specimen, used for legal and drug-testing samples.

Question 15 of 15What does “Order of draw” mean?
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Answer: The required sequence for filling tubes so additives don’t contaminate later tubes.. Order of draw: The required sequence for filling tubes so additives don’t contaminate later tubes.

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