Free Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Before collecting an adult patient's blood cultures, a phlebotomist follows the CDC model collection procedure. What is the minimum number of unique patient-specific identifiers to use?

   1. A. One identifier
   2. B. Two identifiers
   3. C. Three identifiers
   4. D. Four identifiers

   Answer: B

   Explanation: CDC states, "Use at least two unique patient-specific identifier(s) to identify the patient". Two is the minimum; one is insufficient, while three or four exceed the minimum asked for.

   Reference: Collect Adult Blood Culture Sets — Establish a blood culture collection SOP, step 1

2. 2A fresh stool specimen for parasitology was refrigerated because preservative was unavailable. Under the CDC specimen-collection guidance, for which testing method is this exception acceptable?

   1. A. Permanent stained-smear examination
   2. B. Antigen testing
   3. C. Protozoan culture
   4. D. Concentration microscopy

   Answer: B

   Explanation: CDC describes refrigerated, unpreserved stool specimens as "suitable for antigen testing only." This exception supports antigen testing, rather than assuming acceptability for permanent smears, culture, or concentration microscopy.

   Reference: Stool Specimens – Specimen Collection — Specimen Collection, fresh stool processing and refrigeration exception

3. 3A specimen is ordered at 6:30 a.m., collected at 7:05 a.m., received at 7:40 a.m., and tested at 8:10 a.m. Which time belongs in the requisition's specimen-collection-time field?

   1. A. 6:30 a.m.
   2. B. 7:05 a.m.
   3. C. 7:40 a.m.
   4. D. 8:10 a.m.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: 42 CFR 493.1241(c)(6) specifies "The date and, if appropriate, time of specimen collection." The collection occurred at 7:05 a.m. Order entry, laboratory receipt, and analysis times describe different events.

   Reference: 42 CFR 493.1241 — Standard: Test request — 42 CFR 493.1241(c)(6)

4. 4A phlebotomist reports a patient's sudden deterioration by organizing the message into the current situation, relevant background, assessment, and a request for help. Which communication framework is being used?

   1. A. CUS
   2. B. SBAR
   3. C. DESC
   4. D. I-PASS

   Answer: B

   Explanation: AHRQ describes SBAR as "A technique for communicating critical information that requires immediate attention and action concerning a patient’s condition". Its components are Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation or Request, matching this report. CUS, DESC, and I-PASS are different communication tools.

   Reference: TeamSTEPPS Pocket Guide: Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety — SBAR, printed page 9

5. 5A phlebotomist records a positive qualitative point-of-care test result. Which format follows CDC advice for reducing clerical ambiguity?

   1. A. A single plus sign
   2. B. Two plus signs
   3. C. The word positive
   4. D. A numerical value of one

   Answer: C

   Explanation: CDC states, "Qualitative test results should be recorded using interpretive words or abbreviations". Words such as positive are recommended instead of plus/minus symbols that can be altered. Multiple plus signs or a numeric one do not substitute for the specified qualitative wording.

   Reference: Good Laboratory Practices for Waived Testing Sites — Recording Results, qualitative-result notation

6. 6A phlebotomist needs the federal workplace standard governing occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Which agency administers that occupational safety standard?

   1. A. CDC
   2. B. FDA
   3. C. CMS
   4. D. OSHA

   Answer: D

   Explanation: OSHA publishes 29 CFR 1910.1030, which states, "This section applies to all occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials". OSHA administers this workplace standard. CDC issues public-health guidance, FDA regulates medical products, and CMS administers laboratory certification requirements.

   Reference: 29 CFR 1910.1030 — Bloodborne pathogens — 29 CFR 1910.1030(a), Scope and Application

7. 7A phlebotomist reviewing consent for HHS-regulated research finds wording that appears to release the research institution from liability for negligence. How is this wording classified under the federal consent rule?

   1. A. A confidentiality assurance
   2. B. An exculpatory provision
   3. C. A voluntary-participation statement
   4. D. A description of research procedures

   Answer: B

   Explanation: 45 CFR 46.116(a)(6) prohibits "any exculpatory language" that releases or appears to release the institution or its agents "from liability for negligence." The liability-release wording is exculpatory, rather than a confidentiality promise, voluntariness statement, or procedure description.

   Reference: 45 CFR 46.116 — General requirements for informed consent — 45 CFR 46.116(a)(6)

8. 8A collection note describes a patient's heart rate as bradycardic. What does the prefix brady- indicate?

   1. A. Rapid
   2. B. Slow
   3. C. Irregular
   4. D. Absent

   Answer: B

   Explanation: For the prefix brady-, MedlinePlus gives the meaning "slow". The prefix describes a slow rate; it does not itself mean an irregular or absent rate.

   Reference: MedlinePlus: Appendix A—Word Parts and What They Mean — Numbers and Amounts, brady- entry

9. 9A phlebotomist is collecting a whole-blood specimen for a complete blood count. Which tube additive is appropriate for this specimen?

   1. A. Sodium citrate
   2. B. Lithium heparin
   3. C. Potassium EDTA
   4. D. Sodium fluoride

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The CDC laboratory manual states, "The phlebotomist collects a 3- or 4-ml K2 EDTA (ethylene diamine-tetracetic acid) tube, used for a CBC". Potassium EDTA is the specified anticoagulant for the CBC specimen. Citrate, heparin, and fluoride serve different specimen requirements.

   Reference: 2021 Laboratory Procedures Manual — Section 6.6.1, Specimen Collection, printed page 6-8

10. 10A phlebotomist assists with preserving a 10-mL stool specimen using the CDC ratio of one volume of stool to three volumes of preservative. How much preservative is needed?

    1. A. 3.3 mL
    2. B. 10 mL
    3. C. 30 mL
    4. D. 40 mL

    Answer: C

    Explanation: CDC directs, "Add one volume of the stool specimen to three volumes of the preservative." For 10 mL of stool, 3 × 10 = 30 mL of preservative is required. Dividing by three gives 3.3 mL; omitting the factor gives 10 mL; confusing total mixture with preservative gives 40 mL.

    Reference: Stool Specimens – Specimen Collection — Specimen Collection, preservative preparation