NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

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Prepare for the NHA Phlebotomy Certification Exam. Learn with study guides and multiple choice questions. Each question offers detailed explanations. Achieve success on your certification test.

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What is the maximum time a tourniquet should remain on a patient's arm?

1 minute
2 minutes
3 minutes
5 minutes

The correct answer is: 1 minute

The maximum time a tourniquet should remain on a patient's arm is ideally 1 minute. Keeping a tourniquet on for too long can lead to complications such as hemoconcentration, where the blood components become concentrated due to the restriction of blood flow. This can affect lab results by skewing the values for certain tests. Prolonged use can also cause discomfort or harm to the patient, including the risk of nerve damage or reduced circulation to the area being tested. Shortening the duration to 1 minute minimizes these risks while still effectively enlarging the veins for easier access during venipuncture. Once the blood flow is restricted by the tourniquet, it’s best practice to complete the blood draw as quickly as possible to ensure patient safety and the integrity of the sample collected.