NHA CPT
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NHA CPT
Hematology tests are most often performed on which of the following?
Correct — D. Hematology tests are most often performed on whole blood, which is blood that has not coagulated. To prevent the blood from clotting after it is collected from the patient, the blood is drawn into a tube containing and anticoagulant. -
NHA CPT
Which of the following terms refers to the front surface of the body?
Correct — D. Ventral and anterior refer to the front surface of the body. Routine venipuncture is performed on the ventral surface of the forearm. -
NHA CPT
A blood specimen that is to undergo DNA testing should be placed in a vacutainer tube with which color stopper?
Correct — A. The stopper color of a vacutainer tube tells you which additives are in the tube and thus which tests may be performed on a a specimen in that tube. A specimen which is to undergo DNA testing should be placed in a tube with a yellow stopper. -
NHA CPT
Any material placed in a tube that maintains or facilitates the integrity and function of the sample is known as which of the following?
Correct — A. Various additives are added to tubes to improve the quality of the sample. These additives are not anticoagulants or preservatives but are used to improve sample quality or to accelerate sample processing. -
NHA CPT
Justin successfully completed his first draw. The order was for a PT and PTT. Justin had the right patient, the right test, the right tube, and the right time. He collected the sample in a light blue top tube- he filled the tube to the middle and gently rotated the tube 5-10 times, to mix the sample with the additive. What (if anything) did Justin do wrong?
Correct — C. Justin forgot that a sample collected in a light blue top tube must completely fill the tube. Light blue top tubes contain the additive sodium citrate, in either 3.2% or 3.8% solution (determined by laboratory policy); since the mixing ratio is nine parts blood to one part citrate, most clinical laboratories will reject light blue top tubes that are not completely filled. -
NHA CPT
Which of the following needle gauges is appropriate when collecting donor blood?
Correct — B. Choosing the correct gauge of needle for the work you are doing is vital. For collecting donor units of blood, choose a 16-18 gauge needle. For adult patients undergoing venipuncture for lab tests, a 21-22 gauge needle is used. -
NHA CPT
What does the word-part "hemat/o" mean?
Correct — C. When using the word part "hemat/o", people are talking about blood. -
NHA CPT
You are drawing a sample which will undergo Monospot testing for mononucleosis. What color should the top of the tube be?
Correct — C. The color of the top of a collection tube indicates the types of tests a specimen may undergo. Red-topped tubes are used for specimens that will undergo serology tests on serum, including the Monospot. These tubes are also used for specimens that will undergo chemistry tests on serum. -
NHA CPT
The circulatory system delivers what to the cells in the body?
Correct — D. The circulatory system delivers food, oxygen, and important substances to cells in all areas of the human body. The circulatory systems also removes waste products from the body. It is known as the cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular system is composed of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. -
NHA CPT
A blood specimen which will undergo a complete blood count should be placed in a vacutainer tube with which color stopper?
Correct — C. The stopper color of a vacutainer tube tells you which additives are in the tube and thus which tests may be performed on a a specimen in that tube. A purple (or lavender) lid indicates a specimen which will undergo a CBC, or complete blood count. -
NHA CPT
How is serum collected?
Correct — D. Blood samples are collected in different ways. Clotted blood, serum, whole blood, and plasma are all collected using the venipuncture technique. Capillary blood is collected through either fingerstick or heelstick. -
NHA CPT
Which of the following is NOT a disorder of the arteries?
Correct — D. Hemorrhoids are a disorder of the veins. They are swollen veins in the walls of the anus, often due to prolonged exertion or pressure during defecation. -
NHA CPT
What course of action should be done when you are unable to palpate a vein of the patient's dominant arm?
Correct — C. In this case, the prioritized step would be checking the other arm. You are not allow to guess the location of a vein. If you have tried every method and still cannot find a suitable vein, it is recommended to ask for assistance of a more senior phlebotomist to obtain the sample, rather than attempting capillary sampling of multiple tests. -
NHA CPT
Tina is a phlebotomist with years of experience and a gentle touch. She is the only tech on duty, when five stat requests, for five different patients, are ordered simultaneously. Before beginning her run, Tina takes the time to call the floors to determine which stat order is most critical. What (if anything) did Tina do wrong?
Correct — A. Tina understands prioritizing her runs is her responsibility. Using common sense along with her knowledge and understanding of the requested stat tests help her to determine the best order of the stat draws. Meeting the needs of the most critical patients first is what guides Tina when prioritizing in this situation. -
NHA CPT
How should the patient’s arm be placed for a fingerstick?
Correct — B. <p>For fingersticks, the best place to collect capillary blood samples are on the 3<sup>rd</sup> or 4<sup>th</sup> fingers on the non-dominant hand. It is beneficial to massage the finger to increase blood flow. For a fingerstick, the patient can sit or lie down. His/her arm should be hyperextended. </p> -
NHA CPT
Justin is in his patient’s room; he has introduced himself, properly identified the patient, and is now explaining the venipuncture procedure. He says, “Your doctor has requested a blood test; the lab will contact your doctor with the results. I will draw a small sample from your vein so the lab can run the test. You may feel a small pinch.”<br/><br/>Why is Justin telling the patient this?
Correct — D. Justin is informing the patient of the blood withdrawal procedure he is about to perform, which is necessary to obtain informed consent. Informed consent issues are the largest area of litigation. This is why phlebotomists are required to explain procedures to patients in easy-to-understand terms. -
NHA CPT
When a person changes from lying down to standing up which of the following decreases?
Correct — C. Blood volume decreases when a person changes from lying down to standing up. -
NHA CPT
Which of the following is NOT a disease for which droplet precautions must be used?
Correct — C. For enteric infections contact precautions should be used. Droplet precautions should be used in all of the other three choices. -
NHA CPT
For a fingerstick, how should the finger be cleaned?
Correct — D. For fingersticks, the best place to collect capillary blood samples are on the 3<sup>rd</sup> or 4<sup>th</sup> fingers on the non-dominant hand. It is beneficial to massage the finger to increase blood flow. The finger should be cleaned with 70% isopropyl alcohol. The finger should be completely dry for the fingerstick. -
NHA CPT
Which of the following agencies requires a safety device on needles and/or tube holder or syringe?
Correct — D. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an organization that enforces safety and health legislation.<br/><br/>According to OSHA, if a needle does not have a safety device, the tube holder or syringe must have a safety device to prevent accidental needlesticks. -
NHA CPT
When working as a phlebotomist, you might encounter several types of safety hazards, including:
Correct — A. Due to the presence of bloodborne and airborne pathogens is the reason why biological hazards are the most susceptible hazard when working in a clinical environment.<br/><br/>Electrical hazards exist in all environments which are involved in electricity usage.<br/><br/>Radioactive hazards may also be encountered if it is present in a preservative or reagent or if specific equipment is located nearby. -
NHA CPT
Which of the following is NOT a type of variable that can affect the outcome of test results?
Correct — B. A variable is any factor that can be measured or counted that affects the outcome of test results and therefore patient care. There are three types of variables: preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic. There is no midanalytic variable. -
NHA CPT
In the hazard identification system, four small color-coded diamonds are grouped into a larger diamond. Numbers represent the severity of the hazard. What would the yellow diamond with the number 4 indicate?
Correct — D. Yellow indicates a reactivity/stability hazard. These are chemicals or substances capable of exploding or toxic chemical reactions. The number system is coded as zero (no hazard) through four (most hazardous). In the example, the yellow diamond with a number 4 indicates an extreme reactivity/stability hazard. -
NHA CPT
What elements needs to be verified for use on checking inventory?
Correct — D. Defective equipment such as tubes, needles, additives, preservatives and anything else used during a procedure can lead to a rejection of the specimen or inaccuracy test results. When checking inventory, all equipment should be carefully checked for indications of damage due to the excessive exposure to heat or moisture, and the expiration date. Expired or damaged equipment should be discarded properly. -
NHA CPT
The hemoglobin A1c POC test reflects the average blood glucose level for the previous <code>________</code>.
Correct — A. The hemoglobin A1c POC test reflects the average blood glucose level for the previous 2–3 months. Glucose attaches to hemoglobin A in RBCs and remains for the life of the cells. The typical life of an RBC is approximately 120 days. <br/><br/>Hemoglobin A1c is a better predictor of glucose control and the possibility of complications than is serum glucose. The normal value for hemoglobin A1c is less than 5.7. -
NHA CPT
What does SST stand for?
Correct — B. SST stands for Serum Separator Tube. These tubes are also known as tiger- tops, red and gray or gold tops. SST tubes are placed in a centrifuge. The tubes contain a clot activator and a gel made from polymer. The activator, gel, and centrifuge separate plasma from blood cells. -
NHA CPT
Which of the following chemistry and hematology tests is least affected by hemolysis?
Correct — C. Phosphorus is the test least affected by hemolysis. It is only slightly affected. The other choices are either seriously affected or moderately affected. -
NHA CPT
A blood disease that results in abnormally shaped RBCs that block vessels and cause severe pain is <code>________</code>.
Correct — A. Sickle cell disease, the most common inherited blood disease in the United States, is a form of anemia in which the RBCs are abnormally shaped, like a crescent or sickle, and may clump together, resulting in blockage of vessels and oxygen depletion with severe pain (sickle cell crisis). With sickle cell disease, the abnormal cells only live 10-20 days instead of the usual 120 days, so the patient becomes chronically anemic, often requiring frequent transfusions. -
NHA CPT
Which of these tests is seriously affected by hemolysis?
Correct — D. Alanine aminotransferase is moderately affected by hemolysis. Acid phosphatase and Albumin are slightly affected by hemolysis. -
NHA CPT
Which section of the lab would process a test for T and B cell markers?
Correct — C. The serology or immunology department evaluates the patient’s immune response through the detection of antibodies. The test for T and B cell markers is a common test done by the serology/immunology department.
NHA CPT sample questions
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NHA CPT In the hazard identification system, four small color-coded diamonds are grouped into a larger diamond. Numbers represent the severity of the hazard. What would the yellow diamond with the number 4 indicate?
A. Yellow indicates a special hazard. The number 4 indicates a moderate hazard.
B. Yellow indicates a flammability hazard. The number 4 indicates a mild hazard.
C. Yellow indicates a reactivity/stability hazard. The number 4 indicates no hazard.
D. Yellow indicates a reactivity/stability hazard. The number 4 indicates extreme hazard. ✓
Correct — D. Yellow indicates a reactivity/stability hazard. These are chemicals or substances capable of exploding or toxic chemical reactions. The number system is coded as zero (no hazard) through four (most hazardous). In the example, the yellow diamond with a number 4 indicates an extreme reactivity/stability hazard.
NHA CPT What elements needs to be verified for use on checking inventory?
A. There is no visible damage to the equipment.
B. There is no heat and moisture damage.
C. The expiration date has not lapsed.
D. All of the answers are correct. ✓
Correct — D. Defective equipment such as tubes, needles, additives, preservatives and anything else used during a procedure can lead to a rejection of the specimen or inaccuracy test results. When checking inventory, all equipment should be carefully checked for indications of damage due to the excessive exposure to heat or moisture, and the expiration date. Expired or damaged equipment should be discarded properly.
NHA CPT The hemoglobin A1c POC test reflects the average blood glucose level for the previous <code>________</code>.
A. 2–3 months ✓
B. 2–3 days
C. 4–5 weeks
D. 7–10 days
Correct — A. The hemoglobin A1c POC test reflects the average blood glucose level for the previous 2–3 months. Glucose attaches to hemoglobin A in RBCs and remains for the life of the cells. The typical life of an RBC is approximately 120 days. <br/><br/>Hemoglobin A1c is a better predictor of glucose control and the possibility of complications than is serum glucose. The normal value for hemoglobin A1c is less than 5.7.
NHA CPT What does SST stand for?
A. Stat Serum Test
B. Serum Separator Tube ✓
C. Short Serum Test
D. Stat Stat Test
Correct — B. SST stands for Serum Separator Tube. These tubes are also known as tiger- tops, red and gray or gold tops. SST tubes are placed in a centrifuge. The tubes contain a clot activator and a gel made from polymer. The activator, gel, and centrifuge separate plasma from blood cells.
NHA CPT Which of the following chemistry and hematology tests is least affected by hemolysis?
A. aspartate aminotransferase
B. thyroxine
C. phosphorus ✓
D. CBC
Correct — C. Phosphorus is the test least affected by hemolysis. It is only slightly affected. The other choices are either seriously affected or moderately affected.
NHA CPT A blood disease that results in abnormally shaped RBCs that block vessels and cause severe pain is <code>________</code>.
A. Sickle cell disease ✓
B. Myelopathic anemia
C. Iron deficiency anemia
D. Pernicious anemia
Correct — A. Sickle cell disease, the most common inherited blood disease in the United States, is a form of anemia in which the RBCs are abnormally shaped, like a crescent or sickle, and may clump together, resulting in blockage of vessels and oxygen depletion with severe pain (sickle cell crisis). With sickle cell disease, the abnormal cells only live 10-20 days instead of the usual 120 days, so the patient becomes chronically anemic, often requiring frequent transfusions.
NHA CPT Which of these tests is seriously affected by hemolysis?
A. Alanine aminotransferase.
B. Albumin.
C. Acid phosphatase.
D. Aspartate aminotransferase. ✓
Correct — D. Alanine aminotransferase is moderately affected by hemolysis. Acid phosphatase and Albumin are slightly affected by hemolysis.
NHA CPT Which section of the lab would process a test for T and B cell markers?
A. microbiology
B. chemistry
C. serology ✓
D. hematology
Correct — C. The serology or immunology department evaluates the patient’s immune response through the detection of antibodies. The test for T and B cell markers is a common test done by the serology/immunology department.
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- Safe and effective care environment
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychosocial and physiological integrity
- Pharmacology, infection control and patient safety
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Topics in this question bank
Safe and effective care environment
Health promotion and maintenance
Psychosocial and physiological integrity
Pharmacology, infection control and patient safety
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