Phlebotomy Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (1–10)

Q1A phlebotomist is about to perform a venipuncture on a patient with no known infections. Which of the following PPE items is the MINIMUM required by Standard Precautions for this procedure?

• AGloves, gown, and face shield
• BGloves, gown, mask, and goggles
• CGloves only
• DGloves and a surgical mask

Q2Immediately after activating the safety device on a used needle, the phlebotomist should place it in which container?

• AA covered wastebasket lined with a plastic bag
• BA puncture-resistant sharps container
• CA red biohazard bag
• DThe original needle packaging for later disposal

Q3A phlebotomist draws blood from a patient, then removes her gloves and applies hand sanitizer before moving to the next patient. The soap and water dispenser nearby is empty. According to CDC hand hygiene guidelines, which situation would have REQUIRED soap and water instead of an alcohol-based hand rub?

• AAfter caring for a patient on Contact Precautions for Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
• BAfter removing gloves following a routine venipuncture
• CBefore donning new gloves for the next patient
• DAfter performing a capillary puncture on a fingertip

Q4During a blood draw, a phlebotomist sustains a needlestick injury from a needle used on an HIV-positive patient. Which action should she take FIRST?

• AImmediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water
• BSeek post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication
• CReport the incident to the infection control officer
• DComplete an incident report form

Q5A phlebotomist notices the sharps container in the patient's room is filled to the maximum-fill line. What is the correct course of action?

• AContinue using the container since the line is a guideline, not a hard limit
• BPress the contents down to create more space, then close the lid
• CTransfer some needles to a red biohazard bag to free up space
• DSeal the container and request a replacement before continuing procedures

Q6Under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, an employer is required to offer the hepatitis B vaccine series to which category of workers?

• AAll new hires within the first 90 days of employment, regardless of exposure risk
• BEmployees who request it regardless of job duties
• CAll employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)
• DOnly employees who work in the clinical laboratory or emergency department

Q7A phlebotomist is collecting blood from a patient under Droplet Precautions for influenza. Which PPE combination is specifically indicated by Droplet Precautions when working within 3 feet of the patient?

• ASurgical mask, gloves, and gown
• BGloves and gown only
• CN95 respirator, gloves, gown, and face shield
• DN95 respirator and gloves only

Q8Which of the following is classified as 'Other Potentially Infectious Material' (OPIM) under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?

• ASweat
• BNasal secretions
• CUrine with no visible blood
• DCerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Q9A phlebotomist accidentally splashes blood into her eye while removing a tube from the holder. After immediately flushing the eye, she should report the exposure. Within what time frame should post-exposure evaluation and prophylaxis ideally begin to be most effective for HIV exposure?

• AWithin 2 hours, and no later than 72 hours
• BWithin 7 days
• CWithin 1 hour only — after that, PEP is contraindicated
• DWithin 24 hours

Q10A phlebotomist working in an outpatient clinic finds a used needle on the floor near a patient chair. The correct action is to pick it up using which method?

• AMechanical means such as forceps or a needle-retrieval device, never by hand
• BA paper towel, then place it in a biohazard bag
• CGloved hand, carefully pointing the needle away from the body
• DGloved hand only if the safety device is already activated