"There are a couple of different approaches, and safety is, of course, the most important thing to consider. If I were to try and perform venipuncture on someone who is angry, they could become combative, resulting in injury to them, me, or both of us. I feel the best approach is to ask what has made the patient upset and try to resolve the underlying cause, if at all possible."

Knowing how you will handle a difficult situation will tell the interviewer if you have the right attitude for this job. Being a phlebotomist means you have to deal with people from different backgrounds and with varying personalities. Give the interviewer an example of how you would handle an angry patient.

"I believe acting calmly and speaking rationally is a great way to calm someone who is angry. I try to be the voice of reason without making someone feel that I am belittling them."