Blood

Question 1

Explain how you would prepare a dog to collect a blood sample to evaluate red blood cell morphology

Answer 1

Ensure fasted for 8 - 12 hours

Ensure restrained for venepuncture

Clip neck over jugular vein using size 40 blade

Use cotton wool with hibi to clean area

Use cotton wool with spirit to clean area

Question 2

Explain the procedure used to collect the blood sample from the patient.

Answer 2

Restrain patient for venepuncture (usually jugular or cephalic)

Ensure clean hands and wear PPE (gloves)

Raise vein

Use 2.5 ml syringe and 21 gauge green needle prepared aseptically

Insert need in to raised vein at a slight angle

Gently retract plunger and take amound of blood needed

Withdraw needle and apply pressure to venepuncture wound using clean dry swab

Put blood in to labelled EDTA tube and invert gently

Dispose of waste appropriately

Question 3

What colour tube and vacutainer would be used to collect a biochemistry sample and what anti-coagulant would be used?

Answer 3

Tube: Orange

Vacutainer: Green

Anti-coagulant: Lithium Heparin

Question 4

What colour tube and vacutainer would be used to collect a haematology sample and what anti-coagulant would be used?

Answer 4

Tube: Pink

Vacutainer: Mauve

Anti-coagulant: EDTA

Question 5

What colour tube and vacutainer would be used to collect a blood glucose sample and what anti-coagulant would be used?

Answer 5

Tube: Yellow

Vacutainer: Grey

Anti-coagulant: Sodium Fluoride/ Potassium Oxalate

Question 6

What colour tube and vacutainer would be used to collect a coagulation profile sample and what anti-coagulant would be used?

Answer 6

Tube: Blue

Vacutainer: Blue

Anti-coagulant: Sodium/Lithium Citrate

Question 7

What colour tube and vacutainer would be used to collect a serum sample and what anti-coagulant would be used?

Answer 7

Tube: White/Brown

Vacutainer: Red

Anti-coagulant: None

Question 8

Total RBC count, increase reasons and decrease reasons…?

Answer 8

Dog: 5.5 - 8.5 x10 12/L
Cat : 5 - 10 x10 12/L

Increase: splenic contraction
Decrease: anaemia

Question 9

Total WBC count, increase reasons and decrease reasons…?

Answer 9

Dog: 6 - 17 x10 9/L
Cat: 5.5 - 19.5 x10 9/L

Increase: infection
Decrease: bone marrow suppression

Question 10

PCV values, increase reasons and decrease reasons…?

Answer 10

Dog: 37 - 55%
Cat: 24 - 45%

Increase: dehydration
Decrease: anaemia

Question 11

Urea levels, increase reasons and decrease reasons…?

Answer 11

Dog: 2.5 - 7 mmol/L
Cat: 5 - 11 mmol/L

Increase: renal failure
Decrease: liver, low protein diet

Question 12

Creatinine levels, increase reasons and decrease reasons…?

Answer 12

Dog: 40 - 130 umol/L
Cat: 40 - 130 umol/L

Increase: renal failure
Decrease: cachexia

Question 13

Bilirubin levels and increase reasons…?

Answer 13

Dog: 1.7 - 10 umol/L
Cat: 2 - 5 umol/L

Increase: haemolytic anaemia, liver disease, biliary obstruction

Question 14

Glucose levels, increase reasons and decrease reasons…?

Answer 14

Dog: 3.3 - 6 mmol/L
Cat: 3.3 - 6 mmol/L

Increase: diabetes mellitus, stress, recent meal
Decrease: hypoglycaemia, increased insulin administration, anorexia