SCFHS Classification Exam – Phlebotomy Technician: free practice test

Practice question Unit: Human Anatomy and Physiology

1. AVeins on the palmar side of the wrist

   The palmar wrist has nearby nerves and tendons and is not the usual routine alternative.

2. BVeins on the back of the hand ✓ Correct answer

   Dorsal hand veins are a usual alternative when antecubital veins are unsuitable.

3. CLeg or foot veins without a physician order

   Lower-limb venipuncture has additional risks and requires authorisation under local policy.

4. DThe femoral vein in the groin

   Femoral access is a deep invasive procedure, not routine peripheral phlebotomy.

Reference: SCFHS exam blueprint, u1: Human Anatomy and Physiology; WHO Guidelines on Drawing Blood (2010); CLSI GP41 Collection of Diagnostic Venous Blood Specimens (7th ed.); SCFHS Phlebotomy Student Manual

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Practice question Unit: Human Anatomy and Physiology

1. AArterioles

   Arterioles regulate blood flow entering capillary networks.

2. BLarge veins

   Large veins return blood to the heart rather than forming the principal exchange network.

3. CCapillaries ✓ Correct answer

   Thin capillary walls permit exchange of gases and nutrients with surrounding tissues.

4. DElastic arteries

   Elastic arteries conduct and buffer high-pressure blood flow rather than provide the exchange surface.

Reference: SCFHS exam blueprint, u1: Human Anatomy and Physiology; WHO Guidelines on Drawing Blood (2010); CLSI GP41 Collection of Diagnostic Venous Blood Specimens (7th ed.); SCFHS Phlebotomy Student Manual

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Practice question Unit: Microbiology and Infection Control

1. ACovering a cough with a tissue

   Covering a cough targets the portal of exit from an infected person.

2. BTreating the infected patient with antibiotics

   Antimicrobial treatment targets the organism and its infected reservoir.

3. CVaccinating staff against hepatitis B

   Vaccination reduces host susceptibility rather than directly preparing the puncture entry site.

4. DAseptic skin preparation before the puncture ✓ Correct answer

   Skin antisepsis reduces organisms at the point where the needle breaches the protective skin barrier.

Reference: SCFHS exam blueprint, u2: Microbiology and Infection Control; WHO Guidelines on Drawing Blood (2010); CLSI GP41 Collection of Diagnostic Venous Blood Specimens (7th ed.); SCFHS Phlebotomy Student Manual

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Practice question Unit: Clinical Skills Phlebotomy: Adult/Geriatric

1. ADraw and label from the requisition

   A requisition alone does not establish that the person in front of you is the correct inpatient.

2. BNot draw until nursing staff attach a wristband ✓ Correct answer

   Follow the inpatient identification process and have an identification band attached before drawing.

3. CAsk the patient's visitor to confirm

   A visitor statement does not replace the required patient-identification procedure.

4. DTape a band to the bed rail

   A band on the bed identifies a location, not securely the patient.

Reference: SCFHS exam blueprint, u3: Clinical Skills Phlebotomy: Adult/Geriatric; WHO Guidelines on Drawing Blood (2010); CLSI GP41 Collection of Diagnostic Venous Blood Specimens (7th ed.); SCFHS Phlebotomy Student Manual

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Practice question Unit: Clinical Skills Phlebotomy: Paediatrics

1. AOn the side of the nail, close to the cuticle

   The nail-side region is not the recommended finger-pad puncture area.

2. BOn the tip of the finger

   The extreme fingertip is more sensitive and is not the preferred puncture site.

3. CParallel to the lines

   A parallel cut allows blood to run along the fingerprint grooves.

4. DPerpendicular (across) the lines ✓ Correct answer

   A cut across fingerprint ridges helps blood form a drop instead of running along a groove.

Reference: SCFHS exam blueprint, u4: Clinical Skills Phlebotomy: Paediatrics; WHO Guidelines on Drawing Blood (2010); CLSI GP41 Collection of Diagnostic Venous Blood Specimens (7th ed.); SCFHS Phlebotomy Student Manual

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Practice question Unit: Special Collections

1. ANothing; the cap is sterile

   The septum under a removable protective cap should not be assumed sterile.

2. BApply povidone-iodine and leave it wet

   Leaving antiseptic wet does not follow the required preparation and drying process.

3. CDisinfect it with alcohol and let it dry ✓ Correct answer

   Disinfect the septum as recommended by the manufacturer, commonly with alcohol, and allow it to dry.

4. DRemove the rubber septum completely

   Removing the septum opens the bottle and compromises the collection system.

Reference: SCFHS exam blueprint, u5: Special Collections; WHO Guidelines on Drawing Blood (2010); CLSI GP41 Collection of Diagnostic Venous Blood Specimens (7th ed.); SCFHS Phlebotomy Student Manual

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Practice question Unit: Blood Donor Collections

1. A50 kg ✓ Correct answer

   Fifty kilograms is a commonly used minimum; programmes may apply additional or volume-specific criteria.

2. B40 kg

   Forty kilograms is below the common minimum for a standard adult whole-blood donation.

3. C30 kg

   Thirty kilograms is too low for the standard adult donation volume.

4. D80 kg

   Eighty kilograms is not the usual minimum requirement.

Reference: SCFHS exam blueprint, u6: Blood Donor Collections; WHO Guidelines on Drawing Blood (2010); CLSI GP41 Collection of Diagnostic Venous Blood Specimens (7th ed.); SCFHS Phlebotomy Student Manual

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Practice question Unit: Complications of Phlebotomy

1. ARelease the tourniquet, remove the needle and apply pressure ✓ Correct answer

   Release venous pressure, stop the puncture and apply direct pressure to limit further bleeding.

2. BPush the needle deeper

   Advancing the needle risks further tissue or vessel injury.

3. CContinue until all tubes are full

   Continuing collection allows the haematoma to enlarge.

4. DTighten the tourniquet to stop the swelling from spreading

   Further tourniquet pressure can worsen continued leakage into the tissues.

Reference: SCFHS exam blueprint, u7: Complications of Phlebotomy; WHO Guidelines on Drawing Blood (2010); CLSI GP41 Collection of Diagnostic Venous Blood Specimens (7th ed.); SCFHS Phlebotomy Student Manual

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Practice question Unit: Communication, Ethics and Professionalism

1. AExplain that patient preferences are not considered

   Dismissing preferences undermines respectful communication and trust.

2. BProceed without discussing her concern

   Proceeding without discussion does not address consent or the expressed concern.

3. CRefuse to discuss any alternative arrangements

   Reasonable alternatives should be explored rather than rejected without discussion.

4. DDiscuss the preference and arrange a female phlebotomist or an agreed chaperone when possible ✓ Correct answer

   Discuss what is acceptable and accommodate the preference when feasible while respecting the patient’s decision.

Reference: SCFHS exam blueprint, u8: Communication, Ethics and Professionalism; WHO Guidelines on Drawing Blood (2010); CLSI GP41 Collection of Diagnostic Venous Blood Specimens (7th ed.); SCFHS Phlebotomy Student Manual

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Practice question Unit: Safety, Quality and Risk Management

1. APatient chart

   A patient chart contains clinical information, not the chemical product hazard specification.

2. BSafety Data Sheet (SDS) ✓ Correct answer

   The SDS describes hazards, safe handling, storage, first aid and exposure controls for the chemical.

3. CRequisition form

   A test requisition identifies the requested test, not chemical handling precautions.

4. DThe tube manufacturer's advertising leaflet

   Advertising material does not replace the product safety-data documentation.

Reference: SCFHS exam blueprint, u9: Safety, Quality and Risk Management; WHO Guidelines on Drawing Blood (2010); CLSI GP41 Collection of Diagnostic Venous Blood Specimens (7th ed.); SCFHS Phlebotomy Student Manual

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