Phlebotomy — practice questions
8% of the exam ≈12 real questions 10 free questions here
12 scored items, and the most rule-driven domain on the exam. Site selection, order of draw, tube additives, and what causes a rejected or hemolyzed specimen. These are exact-recall points — learn them once and they are free.
Where people lose points
- Order of draw exists to prevent additive carryover, so it is tested as a sequence, not as isolated tubes. Blood cultures always come first.
- The median cubital vein is first choice. The basilic is last resort — it sits near the brachial artery and median nerve.
- The tourniquet comes off within one minute. Leaving it on causes hemoconcentration and skews results.
- Never draw from the arm on the side of a mastectomy, an active IV line, a hematoma, or a sclerosed vein.
- Hemolysis has identifiable causes — vigorous shaking, too small a needle, forceful syringe pull, alcohol not dry. Questions usually ask which action caused it.
Drill: Phlebotomy
10 free questions from this domain, each with an explanation and a cited source. Timed at real exam pace.
10 questions
Pass line: 78%, same as the real exam
See the answer and explanation right after each question.