ATI: Specimen Collection Flashcards
Aerobic
living only in the presence of oxygen
Anaerobic
living only in the absence of oxygen
Arterial
pertaining to an artery (a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body)
Blood
the fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels carrying nourishment and oxygen to and bringing waste products from all parts of the body
Blood Culture
laboratory cultivation of micro-organisms in a blood sample placed in a special growth medium
Catheter
a flexible tube passed into the body to remove or instill fluids or to keep a passageway open
Clean-Voided (Midstream) Specimen
sample of urine collected after beginning to urinate into the toilet, stopping the stream of urine, then urinating into a sterile collection cup
Culture
laboratory cultivation of micro-organisms in a body fluid or substance placed in a special growth medium
Culture and Sensitivity (C&S)
laboratory cultivation of micro-organisms in a body fluid or substance placed in a special growth medium, followed by the identification of the antibiotic agents that can kill the pathogenic micro-organisms grown
Drainage
seepage or withdrawal of fluids from a wound, cavity, or orifice
Exudate
material such as fluid with a high content of protein and cellular debris that has escaped from blood vessels and has been deposited in tissues or on tissue surfaces, usually as a result of inflammation
Fecal
pertaining to feces, the solid waste eliminated from the intestines through the anus; stool
Gastric
pertaining to the stomach
Guaiac
a tree resin used as a reagent in the detection of occult (hidden) blood
Glucometer
a device used to determine the approximate concentration of glucose in the blood
Glucose
a simple sugar that is the end product of carbohydrate metabolism
Glycosuria
glucose in the urine
Hematuria
blood in the urine
Hemolysis
rupture of red blood cells, resulting in the release of hemoglobin into the plasma
Ketones
any of a class of organic compounds (such as acetone) that are the normal end products of the metabolism of stored fats; accumulation in the urine (ketonuria) is a sign of hyperglycemia in people who have diabetes mellitus
Lancet
a sharp, pointed device used to make small incisions or punctures in the skin
Leukocyte
a white blood cell
Leukocyte Esterase
an enzyme found in some white blood cells, the presence of which in urine is a sign of infection
Medium
a substance used to cultivate micro-organisms in a laboratory (plural: media)
Melena
black, tarry feces created by the action of intestinal secretions on blood
Occult Blood
blood present in such small amounts as to be detectable only by specific diagnostic tests
pH
a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, with a low pH indicating acidity and a high pH indicating alkalinity; a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions
pH Test Strip
a disposable indicator that measures the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, with a low pH indicating acidity and a high pH indicating alkalinity
Phlebotomy
the process of accessing a vein for blood sampling or treatment
Point-Of-Care
at or near the site or time of patient care, as in point-of-care testing
Polyuria
excretion of abnormally large amounts of urine
Sample
a small portion that represents the whole of body cells, fluid, secretions, or excretions, collected for the purposes of diagnostic testing
Septicemia
the presence of infective agents or their toxins in the bloodstream
Specific Gravity
the weight or degree of concentration of a substance compared with that of an equal volume of another substance, most often, urine compared with distilled water
Specimen
a small portion that represents the whole of body cells, fluid, secretions, or excretions, collected for the purposes of diagnostic testing
Sputum
mucous secretions from the lungs, bronchi, and trachea
Standard Precautions
measures designed to prevent the transmission of organisms and used for all patients in healthcare facilities regardless of diagnosis or infection status
Sterile
free from living organisms and especially from micro-organisms and pathogens
Stool
solid waste eliminated from the intestines through the anus; fecal matter
Swab
a small pledget of cotton or gauze wrapped around the end of a slender stick used to apply medications or solutions or to obtain specimens from body surfaces or orifices
Syringe
an instrument used to introduce fluids into or withdraw them from the body
Tourniquet
a stretchable device used to compress blood vessels either to stop bleeding or to assist in obtaining blood samples
Urinalysis
a diagnostic examination of urine
Urine Reagent Test Strip
a chemically treated band that, when dipped into a urine sample and color changes are observed, yields information about pH, specific gravity, leukocytes or leukocyte esterase, blood, ketones, bilirubin or urobilinogen, and glucose (varying with the type of test strip used)
Vacutainer
a trade name for an evacuated blood collection tube system
Venipuncture
insertion of a needle into a vein to withdraw blood samples or to establish ongoing access to a vein
Venous
pertaining to a vein (a blood vessel that carries blood to the heart from the rest of the body)
Vial
a plastic or glass container in which liquid or powdered medication is packaged in an airtight and sterile environment and sealed with a rubber stopper
Wound
an injury to the body that typically involves laceration or breaking of the skin or mucous membranes and usually damage to underlying tissue
