NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

Which situation requires immediate action by a phlebotomist?

1. Exposure to bloodborne pathogens

2. A delayed transportation of samples

3. Confusion about the patient’s identity

4. A missing requisition form

The correct answer is: Exposure to bloodborne pathogens

The situation that requires immediate action by a phlebotomist is exposure to bloodborne pathogens. This is crucial because exposure can pose significant health risks to the phlebotomist and potentially to others. Bloodborne pathogens, such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, can be transmitted through contact with infected blood and body fluids. When a phlebotomist is exposed, immediate steps must be taken to minimize the risk of infection, including following established safety protocols, reporting the incident, and seeking medical evaluation and treatment if necessary. In contrast, while situations like delayed transportation of samples, confusion about a patient’s identity, and a missing requisition form are important and need to be addressed, they do not carry the same level of immediate risk to health and safety as exposure to bloodborne pathogens. These scenarios can often be resolved with proper communication and procedure but do not demand the same urgent response to protect the well-being of individuals involved.