CPT · 28% of the exam
Routine Blood Collections practice questions
10 free Routine Blood Collections questions for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam, each with the correct answer and an explanation for every option.
What this domain covers
The largest CPT domain: venipuncture and capillary collection, including order of draw and tube additives.
- Exam weight
- 28%
- On a real exam
- ≈ 34 questions
- In our bank
- 168 questions
Topics that come up most
- Order of draw
- Tube colours and additives
- Venipuncture technique
- Capillary puncture
- Complications and how to respond
How to study it
Memorise the order of draw and what each tube is for until it's instant; it appears throughout the exam.
Sample Routine Blood Collections questions
Try each one before opening the answer. Original questions written to the official exam objectives.
Question 1
What post-draw instruction is commonly given about the bandage?
- ARemove it immediately
- BKeep it on at least 15 minutes
- CKeep it on for a week
- DLift heavy objects right away
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) Keep it on at least 15 minutes
- AIncorrect. The site may bleed again.
- BCorrect. Leaving the bandage on for a while helps prevent bleeding and bruising.
- CIncorrect. This can irritate the skin.
- DIncorrect. Heavy lifting can cause bleeding.
Question 2
For a hand vein draw, which equipment is often preferred?
- AA blood donation bag set
- BA large-bore needle
- CA winged set
- DA lancet
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C) A winged set
- AIncorrect. Donation equipment is for donors.
- BIncorrect. Large needles are too traumatic for hand veins.
- CCorrect. A winged set gives control, and small tubes are gentler on hand veins.
- DIncorrect. Lancets are for capillary puncture.
Question 3
How should gauze be used when the needle is removed?
- APlace it, withdraw, then press
- BPress hard before withdrawing
- CNo gauze is needed
- DUse a cotton ball soaked in alcohol
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Place it, withdraw, then press
- ACorrect. Pressing while the needle is still in can cause pain and injury.
- BIncorrect. Pressing on the needle hurts and can injure the vein.
- CIncorrect. Pressure with gauze helps stop bleeding.
- DIncorrect. Alcohol on the open site stings and delays clotting.
Question 4
When antecubital veins aren't usable, hand veins on which surface are commonly used?
- AThe back (dorsal) surface
- BThe palm
- CThe fingertip
- DThe inner wrist, on the palm side
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) The back (dorsal) surface
- ACorrect. A butterfly set is often used.
- BIncorrect. The palm has no suitable veins.
- CIncorrect. That's a capillary site.
- DIncorrect. It has nerves and tendons.
Question 5
The needle is in the vein, but a tube doesn't fill. A likely cause and fix is:
- AThe tourniquet is too loose; tie it tighter
- BThe patient is dehydrated; give water
- CThe tube has lost its vacuum; try a new tube
- DThe needle is too sharp
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C) The tube has lost its vacuum; try a new tube
- AIncorrect. Try a new tube first.
- BIncorrect. Try a new tube first.
- CCorrect. Tubes can lose vacuum if dropped or expired.
- DIncorrect. Try a new tube.
Question 6
Why are adhesive bandages generally avoided for children under 2?
- AThey are too expensive
- BThey can be a choking hazard
- CThey stop all bleeding
- DThey cause the site to bleed
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) They can be a choking hazard
- AIncorrect. The concern is safety.
- BCorrect. Young children may remove and swallow bandages.
- CIncorrect. The concern is choking.
- DIncorrect. The concern is choking.
Question 7
Which needle has the largest inside diameter (lumen)?
- A21 gauge
- B18 gauge
- C23 gauge
- D25 gauge
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) 18 gauge
- AIncorrect. It's smaller than 18 gauge.
- BCorrect. Smaller gauge numbers mean larger needles.
- CIncorrect. It's smaller than 18 gauge.
- DIncorrect. It's the smallest here.
Question 8
If the tourniquet was released after site selection, how long should one wait before reapplying it?
- A10 seconds
- BNo wait
- C30 minutes
- DAbout 2 minutes
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D) About 2 minutes
- AIncorrect. Wait about 2 minutes.
- BIncorrect. A short wait reduces hemoconcentration.
- CIncorrect. That's unnecessary.
- DCorrect. This lets blood flow return to normal.
Question 9
A patient has healing burns on both arms from the elbows to the wrists. Both hands and wrists are unaffected. Which approach is most appropriate for a routine venipuncture?
- AUse a dorsal hand vein, placing the tourniquet on the unburned wrist
- BUse the antecubital vein after a longer antiseptic scrub of the burned skin
- CUse the antecubital vein, padding the tourniquet with gauze over the burns
- DUse an ankle vein, since leg veins are the standard next choice
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Use a dorsal hand vein, placing the tourniquet on the unburned wrist
Burned or scarred areas are avoided for venipuncture and tourniquet placement. Use an intact alternative site, such as a hand vein below the injury, before considering restricted sites like the legs or feet.
- ACorrect. Burned and scarred tissue should be avoided for both the needle and the tourniquet. A hand vein below the burns, with the tourniquet on intact skin, is an acceptable alternative site.
- BIncorrect. A longer scrub does not make burned tissue suitable. Puncturing burned skin carries infection risk and pain, and the veins are often hard to access.
- CIncorrect. Gauze under the tourniquet does not protect damaged tissue enough, and the needle would still go through burned skin.
- DIncorrect. Leg and foot veins are not a routine alternative. Many facilities require provider permission because of clotting and circulation risks, and usable hand veins are available here.
Question 10
Blood flow stops because the bevel seems to be against the vein wall. What is an acceptable fix?
- ALeave the tube on for 5 minutes
- BProbe side to side deeply
- CPush the needle all the way through
- DAdjust the needle slightly
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D) Adjust the needle slightly
- AIncorrect. Waiting does not fix the needle position.
- BIncorrect. Probing can injure nerves and tissue.
- CIncorrect. This goes through the vein and causes a hematoma.
- DCorrect. A small adjustment, such as slightly rotating or withdrawing the needle, can restore flow.
Routine Blood Collections: FAQs
How much of the CPT exam is Routine Blood Collections?
Routine Blood Collections is 28% of the CPT exam by the official exam guide's weighting, which on a 120-question form works out to roughly 34 questions. The real exam's exact split varies by form.
What does the Routine Blood Collections domain cover?
The largest CPT domain: venipuncture and capillary collection, including order of draw and tube additives.
How should I study Routine Blood Collections for CPT?
Memorise the order of draw and what each tube is for until it's instant; it appears throughout the exam.
Where can I practise more Routine Blood Collections questions?
This page has 10 free Routine Blood Collections questions with answers. The ExamWize CPT question bank has 168 questions in this domain. Every practice exam result breaks your score down by domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.
Get Routine Blood Collections exam-ready
The full CPT bank has 168 Routine Blood Collections questions. Timed practice exams match the real exam's length and domain weights, every result shows your score per domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.
Not affiliated with NHA; questions are original, written from the official exam outline, and never copied from the real exam.