CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Technician) Practice Exam

You put a tourniquet on and notice a red mark, what is it most likely?

1. A. Hematoma

2. B. Petechiae

3. C. Thrombus

4. D. Bruise

The correct answer is: A. Hematoma

The scenario you described, where a tourniquet is applied and a red mark is noticed, likely indicates the presence of petechiae. Petechiae are small, pinpoint, red or purple spots that occur due to the breaking of tiny blood vessels under the skin, often as a result of increased pressure, such as that applied by a tourniquet. This reaction can sometimes appear when the pressure from the tourniquet is too tight or is applied for too long, leading to the accumulation of blood in those areas just beneath the skin. This is different from a hematoma, which is a more significant collection of blood outside of blood vessels that usually appears as a larger bruise or swelling; a thrombus refers to a blood clot within a blood vessel, and a bruise typically results from trauma leading to larger areas of blood vessel disruption. In summary, the red mark under the tourniquet is most certainly indicative of petechiae due to the circumstances of the tourniquet application.