CI-CPT study guide
CI-CPT · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) credential is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), an allied health certification agency that has awarded over 1 million nationally recognized certifications and states that its exams are NCCA-accredited. The CPT is aimed at people who draw blood from patients and blood donors and who prepare blood, urine and other specimens for testing. The CI-CPT study guide has 5 sections and about 1,976 words.
01Blood Collection
The Blood Collection domain tests the candidate's ability to perform venipuncture and capillary collection safely and accurately. Questions focus on site selection, equipment choice, order of draw, tube additives, and immediate complication management.
399 words, about 2 min02Specimen Handling and Processing
The Specimen Handling and Processing domain covers the preanalytical steps that occur after collection: transport, centrifugation, separation, aliquoting, storage, and rejection. The exam tests whether you can preserve specimen integrity and recognize conditions that invalidate results.
416 words, about 2 min03Patient Preparation and Safety
The Patient Preparation and Safety domain tests whether you can get the patient ready for collection and protect both patient and staff. Questions cover fasting and timing instructions, medication and history screening, identification, consent, positioning, syncope prevention, hand hygiene, PPE, and sharps safety.
374 words, about 2 min04Point-of-Care Testing
The Point-of-Care Testing domain tests waived and moderately complex testing performed outside the main laboratory: glucose meters, INR monitors, blood gas analyzers, rapid strep and influenza tests, pregnancy tests, and fecal occult blood tests. The exam emphasizes operator technique, quality control, documentation, and recognizing when a POC result cannot be trusted.
398 words, about 2 min05Professionalism and Communication
The Professionalism and Communication domain tests ethical conduct, patient confidentiality, consent, cultural awareness, and communication during difficult encounters. Questions ask what a phlebotomist should say or do when a patient refuses, asks about results, or requests information about another patient.
389 words, about 2 min