California Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

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Prepare for the California Phlebotomy Certification Exam with comprehensive quizzes. Study using flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Excel in your exam!

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When preparing to collect a cholesterol test, what should the phlebotomy technician advise the patient to do?

Please refrain from eating for 12 hours
Please sit for at least 5 minutes before the test
Please drink plenty of water before the test
Please avoid caffeine for 24 hours

The correct answer is: Please sit for at least 5 minutes before the test

The recommendation for the patient to refrain from eating for 12 hours prior to a cholesterol test is vital. Many cholesterol tests, particularly lipid panels, require fasting to ensure accurate results. Eating can lead to elevations in triglyceride levels and can therefore impact the overall lipid profile, potentially leading to misleading conclusions about a patient's cholesterol status. While resting and hydration are important aspects of patient care, they do not have the same significant impact on the results of cholesterol testing as fasting does. Advising the patient to sit for a few minutes before the test may help with comfort and relaxation, but it does not influence the outcome of the cholesterol measurement in the way fasting does. Therefore, the correct guidance focuses on the necessity of fasting to obtain an accurate cholesterol reading.