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Phlebotomy Technician Certification

Venipuncture technique: practice questions

Our Phlebotomy bank has 32 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.

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Question 1

How many attempts should one phlebotomist usually make before asking for help?

  1. As many as needed
  2. Five
  3. Two
  4. One
Show the answer

C. Two — Many facilities limit attempts to two per phlebotomist.

Question 2

What is the most common needle gauge for routine adult venipuncture?

  1. 16 gauge
  2. 18 gauge
  3. 21 gauge
  4. 27 gauge
Show the answer

C. 21 gauge — Smaller veins may need 22 or 23 gauge.

Question 3

Which vein is most commonly used in the hand?

  1. The palmar arch
  2. The median nerve
  3. Dorsal metacarpal veins
  4. The radial artery on the thumb side
Show the answer

C. Dorsal metacarpal veins — Use a butterfly and a smaller gauge.

Question 4

When is a syringe draw preferred over an evacuated system?

  1. When veins are small or fragile and might collapse under vacuum
  2. Never
  3. For all routine draws
  4. Only for blood cultures
Show the answer

A. When veins are small or fragile and might collapse under vacuum — Pull the plunger slowly.

Question 5

Which vein is usually the last choice in the antecubital area because of nearby nerves and the brachial artery?

  1. Cephalic vein
  2. Median cubital vein
  3. Basilic vein
  4. Median vein
Show the answer

C. Basilic vein — Choose the median cubital, then the cephalic.

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