What three identifiers do you use in the inpatient setting?
Patients name, DOB, and hospital issued identification number
What is the single most important step of the blood collection procedure
Correctly and unambiguously identifying the patient
What angle should the needle be inserted
Angle the needle 15-30 degrees above the skin
If the ID number on the requisition does not match the arm band what should you do
Do not proceed with the blood draw. Contact a nurse or your supervisor to resolve the discrepancy
How do you verify if a patient is fasting
By asking the patient, if he or she is fasting or taking any meds because those would affect the draw
How far from the antecubital area should you place the tourniquet
The tourniquet should be applied 3-4 inches above the puncture site
What are small red spots on the skin called
Petchiae
What is hemolysis
destruction of red blood cells
What is the first and second choice of vein to use
1st- median cubital vein 2nd-cephalic vein
What veins lies on top of the brachial artery
Basilic vein
How should the needle be inserted for venipuncture
For venipuncture the needle should be inserted with an angle of 15-30 degrees above the skin
What is hematoma
A reddened swollen area where blood collects under the skin
When should the tourniquet be removed?
Before the needle is withdrawn from the vein
When should blood collection tubes be labeled
After the blood is drawn
What should you do before using a syringe
Follow the beginning steps for a routine venipuncture. Including removing and inspecting the needle. The needle should be check immediately before insertion because its small size makes it susceptible to damage from improper handling during preparation.
When using a syringe how do you know you have entered the vein
A flash of blood should appear in the syringe hub, indicating that the vein has been entered
How should bleeding be stopped at a venipuncture site
Apply a gauze square folded in quarters to the puncture site. Apply pressure, pressure should be applied until bleeding stops
ABN of noncoverage may be required for what patient
A patient who is covered by Medicare
What is the range tubes with additives should be inverted
5 to 10 times
What is glycolysis
Metabolic sugar break down within cells
How long are whole blood specimens collected with EDTA stable for
24 hours at room temperature, however automated differentials must be performed within 6 hours of specimen collection
What problems with a blood sample may be caused by extreme temperatures
Temperature extremes can cause hemolysis. Samples that do not require freezing, cooling, or warming should be kept at room temperature during transport
What are smaller portions of a sample called
Aliquots
What is a major safety risk in removing stoppers from blood collection tubes
Formation of a aerosol, microscopic mist of blood that forms inside the tube
What tube can be centrifuged immediately after collection?
orange, 4 green
A unique identifying number used for cataloging samples in the laboratory is referred to as what kind of number
Accession number
What regulations must be adhered to when samples are being transported from an outside laboratory
State and federal
Will a sample for a C&S be rejected for being collected in a clean container
No