American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) Phlebotomy Practice Exam

What is essential to wear when performing blood draws?

1. Goggles

2. Mask

3. Gloves

4. Lab coat

The correct answer is: Gloves

Wearing gloves is essential when performing blood draws for several critical reasons. First, gloves provide a barrier between the healthcare worker and the patient, protecting both parties from potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria. This is crucial in maintaining infection control standards and ensuring a safe environment for both the patient and the phlebotomist. Additionally, wearing gloves helps to prevent contamination of the blood sample. It minimizes the risk of introducing pathogens from the healthcare worker’s hands into the sample, which could lead to inaccurate test results and additional complications in patient care. While other personal protective equipment, such as goggles, masks, and lab coats, serve important roles in certain situations—like preventing exposure to bodily fluids, respiratory protection, and general safety—gloves are the primary form of protection specifically required during blood drawing procedures. Therefore, their use is a standard practice in phlebotomy to ensure safety, compliance with health regulations, and effective patient care.