California Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

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What antiseptic should a phlebotomy technician use when performing a blood alcohol test?

Iodine
Benzalkonium chloride
Chlorhexidine
Alcohol swab

The correct answer is: Benzalkonium chloride

For blood alcohol tests, the recommended antiseptic is benzalkonium chloride. This selection is crucial because using an alcohol-based antiseptic, such as alcohol swabs, could lead to inaccurate test results. When performing a blood alcohol test, the presence of alcohol from a swab can contaminate the site and interfere with the test's ability to measure the actual blood alcohol level in the sample. Benzalkonium chloride is a non-alcoholic antiseptic that does not interfere with the readings of blood alcohol content, thus ensuring the accuracy of the test. This choice aligns with protocols designed to avoid any substances that can affect the outcome of the analysis. Other antiseptics, like iodine and chlorhexidine, while effective for standard blood draws, are not used for alcohol testing due to potential interactions with the measurement of alcohol in the blood. Therefore, the correct selection for performing a blood alcohol test should be one that preserves the integrity of the sample, which benzalkonium chloride successfully achieves.