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NHA CPT Practice Questions

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NHA CPT Practice Questions

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Questions
300
Format
Multiple choice
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2 years
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$39.99
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About these practice questions

These practice questions will help you prepare for the NHA CPT exam.

This practice test contains 300 practice questions covering the five sections of the NHA CPT exam:

  1. Safety and Compliance
  2. Patient Preparation
  3. Routine Blood Collections
  4. Special Collections
  5. Processing

All questions have been carefully designed to reflect the questions on the real exam, to help you prepare and get a passing grade.

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Sample practice questions

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Section 1: Safety and Compliance

1) Which three kinds of safeguard does the HIPAA Security Rule require?
  1. Administrative, physical, and technical
    The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule requires three types of safeguards to ensure the confidentiality of electronic health information. These three types are administrative, physical, and technical.
  2. Data protection, cyber security, and non-discrimination
  3. Operational, digital, and environmental
  4. Transactional, administrative, and procedural
2) What is the main goal of quality management systems in laboratories?
  1. To automate laboratory work and eliminate human error
  2. To continuously improve the laboratory processes
    The primary goal in a quality management system is continuous improvement of the laboratory processes.
  3. To reduce the cost of laboratory equipment
  4. To reduce the need for skilled technologists
3) A hospital introduces a new blood glucose meter. The laboratory should:
  1. create a survey for patient feedback
  2. order new disposable gloves
  3. revise the daily lab cleaning schedule
  4. update the quality control procedures
    Each brand of glucose meter has different quality control procedures. When a new meter is introduced, the laboratory quality control procedures should be updated to ensure the blood glucose meter performs accurately and consistently.
4) Which of these is a pre-analytical quality indicator?
  1. Number of improperly labelled samples
    Pre-analytical quality indicators monitor the steps that happen before samples are analyzed in the laboratory. These steps include sample labeling, collection, transport, and preparation. Improper labeling is an issue that occurs before analysis begins. Therefore, the number of improperly labelled samples is an example of a pre-analytical quality indicator.
  2. Number of laboratory reporting errors
  3. Percentage of results delivered late
  4. Turnaround time
5) Checking and adjusting a measuring instrument against a known standard is called:
  1. calibration
    Calibration involves checking and adjusting a measuring instrument by comparing it to a known standard. This ensures that measurements are accurate and reliable.
  2. estimation
  3. graduation
  4. mensuration
    Mensuration means "measurement". Using a ruler to measure a length is an example of mensuration.
6) Which of the following is a quality assurance indicator?
  1. C-reactive protein test
  2. Fume hoods
  3. Laboratory turnaround time
    Turnaround time is a frequent quality assurance indicator in laboratories. Turnaround time is the time it takes for the laboratory to analyze the specimens and dispatch the results.
  4. Thorough records of exposure incidents
7) A substance with a known value that is used to ensure the validity and accuracy of test results is called a:
  1. control
    A control is a substance with a known value and is used to monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory tests. It helps ensure that the testing process is working correctly and that the results are reliable.
  2. reagent
  3. reference
  4. sample
8) If a potassium calibration standard is too concentrated, patient results would be:
  1. falsely high
  2. falsely low
    If a potassium calibration standard is too concentrated, patient results would be falsely low. To understand how this works, imagine a standard is supposed to have a concentration of 3 mEq/L, but by mistake, it has a concentration of 4 mEq/L instead. When the machine is set up using this incorrect standard, it thinks 4 mEq/L is actually 3 mEq/L. So, if a patient's blood really has 4 mEq/L of something (like potassium), the machine will mistakenly say it is only 3 mEq/L. This means patient results will be falsely low.
  3. less precise
  4. more precise
    Under-diluting calibration standards is an accuracy problem (it affects the true value), not a precision problem (it doesn't necessarily affect the reproducibility).
9) A coworker suggests skipping thermometer calibration because “the thermometer is always accurate.” What is the best response?
  1. Agree to save time
  2. Calibrate only if temperatures look wrong
  3. Explain that calibration is essential for valid results
    Calibration is a fundamental component of Quality Assurance (QA). Even if a thermometer has been accurate for a long time, calibration checks are needed to ensure it is still working correctly.
  4. Stop using the thermometer entirely
10) Where would you find the instructions for running quality controls for a specific assay?
  1. Laboratory quality manual
    A laboratory quality manual contains policies and procedures that support the laboratory's quality management system. It would not have detailed instructions for running assays.
  2. Safety data sheet
  3. Safety manual
  4. Standard operating procedure
    Standard operating procedures (SOPs) provide detailed step-by-step instructions for conducting specific laboratory tests or procedures, including the use of quality controls.
11) The systematic monitoring and evaluation of the entire laboratory testing process is an aspect of:
  1. corporate compliance
  2. critical thinking
  3. quality assurance
    Quality assurance helps ensure that processes produce reliable and accurate results. In laboratories, quality assurance involves monitoring, evaluating, and improving the entire testing process, from sample collection to final reporting.
  4. risk management
12) Which is an example of external quality control?
  1. Daily glucose control testing
  2. Instrument calibration
  3. Levey-Jennings charts
  4. Proficiency testing
    Proficiency testing is an external quality assessment where a provider sends identical blind samples to multiple laboratories. Each lab tests the samples and submits the results to the provider. The provider then compares the results and sends each lab a performance report, so labs can identify problems and improve.
13) Which of these best meets the definition of proficiency testing?
  1. Inspections to prevent work-related accidents
  2. Testing for illegal drugs in a biological sample
  3. Tests to ensure workers have the skills and knowledge to perform their jobs
  4. The testing of unknown samples sent to the laboratory
    Proficiency testing is when a program sends unknown samples to laboratories to test. The labs return their results, which the program then grades. This helps labs check if their testing methods are accurate.
14) What is the purpose of proficiency testing?
  1. To evaluate a laboratory's testing accuracy
    Proficiency testing is an independent assessment of a laboratory's test results. It ensures that laboratories are performing tests to a high level of quality.
  2. To monitor the rate of equipment malfunctions
  3. To track the inventory levels of laboratory reagents
  4. To train new employees on laboratory techniques
15) ISO and which American organization developed the quality system essentials (QSEs) for laboratories?
  1. American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA)
  2. American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)
  3. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
    The Quality System Essentials (QSEs) for laboratories were developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).
  4. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
16) Which of these practices is dangerous and should be avoided?
  1. Immediately performing first aid on someone who has been exposed to blood
  2. Recapping used needles using both hands
    Never recap a needle with two hands (using one hand to hold the cap and the other to hold the needle). You could slip and accidentally puncture yourself.
  3. Securing used sharps containers during transport
  4. Using plasticware instead of glass
17) Which action could constitute battery?
  1. Disclosing a patient's health information without consent
    Disclosing information without consent is a breach of confidentiality, not battery.
  2. Holding down a patient to draw their blood against their will
    Holding down a patient to draw their blood against their will could constitute battery. Battery is the intentional and unauthorized physical contact with another person, resulting in harm or offence to that person.
  3. Refusing to draw blood from a patient who arrives late to the appointment
    Refusing to draw blood from a patient who arrives late may be hospital policy to avoid disrupting appointments for other patients.
  4. Spreading malicious rumours about a colleague
    Spreading malicious rumours about a colleague is defamation. Defamation means spreading lies about someone to damage their reputation.
18) Which of these situations could lead to a civil lawsuit against a healthcare worker?
  1. Arriving late to work
  2. Drawing blood without consent
    Drawing blood without consent is a violation of a patient's rights and could lead to a civil lawsuit for battery.
  3. Refusing to work overtime
  4. Reporting unsafe conditions
19) A patient refuses to have his blood drawn. The phlebotomist threatens the patient with the needle, saying she will draw the patient's blood whether he gives consent or not. The phlebotomist’s action best describes:
  1. assault
    Assault is threatening to harm someone.
  2. battery
    Battery involves physical contact.
  3. fraud
    Fraud is deceiving someone to receive a benefit.
  4. invasion of privacy
    Invasion of privacy is an intrusion into someone's personal life without consent.
20) Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers have a responsibility to provide:
  1. a safe workplace
    The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to provide a safe workplace to their employees.
  2. extra training for disabled workers
  3. health insurance
  4. work breaks

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About the NHA CPT exam

What is the NHA CPT exam?

The NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) is a 2-hour exam that will test your knowledge of phlebotomy. Passing the exam serves as proof to employers that you have to knowledge to work as a phlebotomist.

The exam is run by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). You can find out more about the NHA at www.nhanow.com.

Requirements to take the exam

To take the exam, you must meet the following requirements:

  • possess a high school diploma or equivalent or expect to earn a high school diploma or equivalent in the next 12 months
  • complete a training program covered by the NHA certification exam or have a minimum of one year of supervised work experience in phlebotomy within the last three years
  • perform at least 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks

Applying to take the exam

To apply for the exam, go to the NHA website (www.nhanow.com). First, you'll need to log in or create an account. Then you can book the exam.

Rescheduling an exam

If you need to reschedule your exam, then contact the NHA. You can reschedule your exam for any date within 6 months of your original exam, and there's no charge to do this.

Taking the exam

On the day of the exam, you'll need to go to your PSI testing center. Bring with you a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. This ID should include your photograph, your signature, and your address. If the address on your ID and the address you gave to the NHA don't match, then you'll also need to give proof of address, such as a utility bill.

Don't bring a calculator as calculators are not permitted in the exam.

You'll be taken into the exam room where you'll do the exam. The exam is two hours long and there will be no breaks.

How many questions are on the exam?

There are 120 questions on the exam. However, only 100 of these questions will be scored and will count towards your final mark. The other 20 questions are pretest questions and will not count towards your mark. These pretest questions are asked to determine whether the question could be used as a scored item on a future exam. During the exam, you won't know which questions are scored questions and which questions are pretest questions.

How do I get my results?

After the exam, you'll be able to check your results online by logging in to your NHA account at www.nhanow.com.

Your results will include your score, whether you passed or failed, and how you performed on each of the five domains of the exam.

If you passed, then NHA will also mail a certificate to you.

What score do I need to pass?

There is no set number of questions you must answer to pass. Instead, each question is worth a certain number of points depending on its difficulty. Easy questions are worth fewer points and hard questions are worth more points. To pass the exam, you must score at least 390 out of 500 points.

What if I fail the exam?

If you fail the exam, you must wait 30 days before you can retake it. You'll also need to pay the appropriate fee.

If you fail the exam a second time, you must wait another 30 days before you can retake it again.

If you fail the exam on the third attempt, you'll have to wait one year before you can take it again. You'll also need to pay the full exam fee.

From this point, you can keep retaking the exam, but you must wait one year between attempts and you must pay the full exam fee each time.

Exam structure

The questions on the NHA CPT exam cover five domains of knowledge. These domains are:

  1. Safety and Compliance
  2. Patient Preparation
  3. Routine Collection
  4. Special Collections
  5. Processing

Now let's look at each domain in detail.

1. Safety and Compliance

The first domain, Safety and Compliance, is worth 25% of the exam and will test your knowledge of:

  • regulations about workplace safety
  • regulations about operating standards
  • HIPAA regulations about protecting health information
  • ethical standards
  • quality control on lab equipment
  • sharps disposal
  • exposure control plans
  • PPE (personal protective equipment)
  • hand hygiene
  • first aid, including CPR

2. Patient Preparation

The second domain, Patient Preparation, is worth 23% of the exam and will cover topics like:

  • introducing yourself to the department
  • identifying the patient
  • obtaining patient consent
  • testing requirements (fasting, medication, basal state)
  • special considerations (e.g. children, the elderly)
  • collection of non-blood specimens (stool, urine, semen, sputum)
  • selecting the venipuncture site

3. Routine Collections

The third domain, Routine Collections, is worth 30% of the exam and will test your knowledge of collecting blood by phlebotomy. This includes topics such as:

  • assembling the equipment
  • applying the tourniquet
  • inserting the needle
  • following the order of draw
  • recognizing complications (e.g., lack of blood flow, hematoma)
  • using the correct vacutainer tubes

4. Special Collections

The fourth domain, Special Collections, is worth 7% of the exam and will cover topics like:

  • preparing peripheral blood smears
  • performing blood culture collections
  • collecting blood samples for inborn errors of metabolism (e.g., PKU, galactosemia)
  • blood donor criteria (e.g. hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, weight, and complete patient screening)
  • collecting non-blood specimens (throat cultures, nasal swab, wound cultures)

5. Processing

The final domain, Processing, is worth 15% of the exam and will cover topics like:

  • preparing specimens for testing or transport
  • centrifuges
  • factors that affect the integrity of specimens (temperature, light, time)
  • chain of custody
  • critical values for point of care testing