Blood collection and handling Flashcards
What is needed when collecting a sample?
Determine which tests, supplies, and vessel you will use
What is the preferred blood source and where?
ALWAYS venous blood, not arterial blood. Jugular vein is more appropriate vessel
What size needle is best?
Largest needle that the patient can comfortably accommodate
What size syringe is the best?
The one that best matches the blood volume you will need
What does a Vacutainer compose of?
Needle, needle holder, tubing, and collection tubes
Why should you use the correct size tube with the vacutainer?
to minimize hemolysis of the sample and to prevent collapse of the vein
What is the corrent volume of the tube based on?
the strength of vaccuum pressure to ensure appropriate ratio of blood to anticoagulant
What does an anticoagulant do?
keeps blood from clotting
What is the advantage of the vacutainer?
multiple samples can be collected directly into tubes without removing the needle form the patient
the amount of blood collected from an animal depends on what?
amount of serum or plasma as well as the hydration status of the animal
enough blood should be taken to run the required tests how many times and why?
3 times, to compensate for error or the need for diluted samples
fluid portion of whole blood
serum or plasma
what % is the fluid portion of blood
90% water, 10% dissolved constituents like proteins, vitamins, carbs, hormones, etc
clotting factors are called
fibrinogen
plasma with no clotting factors
serum
what kind of motion is used for a sample and why?
rocking or rolling motion, if vigorously shaking, can cause hemolysis
definition of anticoagulant
chemicals that prevent or delay the clotting process
whole blood should never be ___ as process can cause what?
frozen, freezing/thawing process can lyse the blood cells
Red topped tube
contains no anticoagulants, used for whole, clotted blood and serum samples
Serum seperator/ Tiger topped tubes
contains no anticoagulant, yellow-ish plug of clot activation gel that separates serum from cells when spun. used for serum samples, not used for therapeutic drug level monitoring
Lavender/purple topped tubes
has anticoagulant EDTA (ethlenediamine tetraacetic acid) used for whole blood or plasma samples, CBCs because it doesn’t alter cell morphology. excess of AC can cause cells to shrink
Grey topped tube
contains AC NA+ Flouride. best for glucose preservation
Blue topped tube
Contains AC NA+ Citrate (which can interfere with Na tests and serum tests). used in transfusion
Green Topped tubes
contains AC heparin. used for tests that require plasma samples. should never be used for Differential blood film analysis. AC interferes with staining WBCs
