NCPT
NCPT is a trademark of its owner, which is not affiliated with and does not endorse Test Treasure Publication or TTP Prep.
NCPT is a trademark of its owner, which is not affiliated with and does not endorse Test Treasure Publication or TTP Prep.
10 sample questions for the NCPT, with the correct answer and an explanation for each. No account needed. Try each one before you open the answer.
Sections covered on the exam: Infections, Standardandtransmission-Basedprecautions, Infection Control and Safety, Oshastandardsandexposureresponse, Personalprotectiveequipment, Sharps,Disinfection,Andworkplacesafety, Preparing For Specimen Collection, Preparing for Specimen Collection, Tubeadditivesandanticoagulants, Patientidentificationandtestorders, Pretestconditionsandpatienteducation, Vascularanatomyandsiteselection, Tourniquetapplicationandsitepreparation, Prioritizingrequestsandspecialpatient, Orderofdrawandcommonlyorderedtests, Thevenipunctureprocedure, Specialcollectionsandpoint-Of-Caretesting, Non-Bloodspecimens, Labeling,Processing,Anddelivery, Qualityassuranceinspecimencollection, Collection Complications and Troubleshooting, Specimen Collection, Patientadversereactions, Interferenceandpre-Analyticalerrors, Scopeofpracticeandlegalresponsibility, Patientrightsandconsent, Regulations,Agencies,Andqualityimprovement, Law and Ethics.
Question 1 · Infections
A hospitalized patient infected with MRSA, who is the reservoir, has a surgical wound that drains pus through the dressing. In the chain of infection, the draining wound is which link?
Answer: C. Portal of exit
The portal of exit is the route by which the agent leaves its reservoir, and breaks in the skin and draining body fluids are classic examples. MRSA itself is the infectious agent, and the drainage carried on hands or equipment is moved by the mode of transmission. The drainage would become a portal of entry only for a new host whose nonintact skin it reached.
Question 2 · Preparing for Specimen Collection
Select two: A patient's wristband carries a latex allergy alert. Which TWO items should the phlebotomist use for the venipuncture?
Answer: C. Nitrile gloves and a latex-free tourniquet
A latex-allergic patient needs latex-free gloves (nitrile or vinyl), a latex-free tourniquet, and a latex-free bandage. Every other pair includes at least one latex item, and latex reactions can range from contact dermatitis to anaphylaxis, so even one latex item is unacceptable.
Question 3 · Prioritizingrequestsandspecialpatient
At 06:15 a phlebotomist arrives to collect a routine CBC and finds the patient's physician examining the patient behind a drawn curtain. What should the phlebotomist do?
Answer: A. Collect other patients' specimens and return after the exam
A routine draw does not justify interrupting a physician's examination, so the phlebotomist continues with other collections and returns when the physician is finished; only a STAT or timed specimen would warrant politely asking the physician for permission to proceed. Stepping inside the curtain intrudes on the patient's privacy, and marking the specimen as not collected is premature when it can be drawn shortly.
Question 4 · Specialcollectionsandpoint-Of-Caretesting
A volunteer at a blood drive is 18 years old, weighs 105 lb (48 kg), has a hemoglobin of 13.4 g/dL, and last donated whole blood 70 days ago. Which finding makes the volunteer ineligible to donate today?
Answer: A. The body weight of 105 lb
Whole blood donors must weigh at least 110 lb (50 kg), so a 105-lb volunteer is deferred. An 18-year-old meets the minimum age of 17 (16 with parental consent in some states), 13.4 g/dL exceeds the minimum of 12.5 g/dL for women and 13.0 g/dL for men, and 70 days exceeds the required 56-day interval between whole blood donations.
Question 5 · Patientadversereactions
While the second tube is filling, a patient suddenly loses consciousness and begins having rhythmic, jerking movements of the arms and legs. Which response is MOST appropriate?
Answer: C. Remove the tourniquet and needle, protect the patient from injury, and call for help
During a seizure the phlebotomist removes the tourniquet and needle, applies pressure if possible, protects the patient from injury without restraint, and calls for help. Holding the arm to finish the draw risks serious injury from the needle. Nothing should be placed in the mouth, and restraining the patient can cause injury; both are specifically avoided.
Question 6 · Infections
An infection prevention team wants to target the susceptible host link of the chain of infection among its phlebotomy staff. Which measure does this MOST directly?
Answer: D. Vaccinating the staff against hepatitis B
Vaccination makes a potential host able to resist the agent, which breaks the susceptible host link. Covering coughs blocks the portal of exit, hand hygiene breaks the mode of transmission, and disinfecting drawing chairs eliminates an environmental reservoir; each breaks the chain, but at a different link.
Question 7 · Preparing for Specimen Collection
A phlebotomist runs out of antiseptic pads during morning rounds. A coworker suggests using the 1:10 bleach solution from the spill kit to clean the patient's arm. Which response is correct?
Answer: B. Get an approved skin antiseptic; bleach is only for surfaces
Antiseptics are used on living tissue, while disinfectants such as bleach destroy microorganisms on inanimate surfaces and are too harsh for skin. Rinsing or air-drying does not make a disinfectant appropriate for skin, and skipping cleansing leaves skin organisms that can contaminate the specimen or cause infection.
Question 8 · Prioritizingrequestsandspecialpatient
At 08:00 a phlebotomist has four requests on the same floor: a routine CBC, an ASAP basic metabolic panel, a timed cortisol ordered for 08:00, and a preoperative PT for surgery tomorrow. Which should be collected FIRST?
Answer: B. The timed cortisol ordered for 08:00
Timed specimens must be drawn as close as possible to the ordered time, and cortisol shows marked diurnal variation, so a late draw cannot be interpreted. With no STAT pending, the ASAP request is next, and a preoperative test for surgery the following day has ample lead time. The routine CBC is lowest priority.
Question 9 · Specialcollectionsandpoint-Of-Caretesting
A phlebotomist is collecting a newborn screening specimen on a filter paper card from a 36-hour-old infant. Which technique is correct?
Answer: D. Apply one large drop to each circle from one side only
Each circle is filled with a single large drop applied from one side and allowed to soak completely through. Layering several small drops or applying blood from both sides produces uneven saturation that invalidates results. Pressing the card against the skin compresses the paper and contaminates the circle.
Question 10 · Patientadversereactions
Partway through a draw, a patient who has not eaten since the previous evening says she feels nauseated and thinks she may vomit. She is alert and has not fainted. Which response is MOST appropriate?
Answer: D. Stop the draw if needed, provide an emesis basin, and have her breathe slowly
Nausea often precedes fainting, so the phlebotomist stops the draw if needed, provides an emesis basin and tissues, has the patient breathe slowly and deeply, applies a cold compress, and calls for help if symptoms worsen. Rushing the draw ignores a warning sign of syncope. Having a nauseated patient stand and walk risks a fall, and giving fluids by mouth while she is about to vomit is inappropriate.
TTP Prep has 200 NCPT practice questions with explanations, timed and mock-exam modes, 76 flashcards, interactive lessons, a printable cheat sheet and a readiness score. Start free, no card needed.
More free questions: browse every exam.