Definitions

Question 1

Anticoagulant

Answer 1

Substance that prevents blood from clotting (eg. heparin)

Question 2

Arterial blood gas

Answer 2

Specimen collected from the artery to measure blood pH, oxygen and CO2 concentration, along with bicarbonate

Question 3

Arteries

Answer 3

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart and are usually oxygenated

Question 4

Veins

Answer 4

Blood vessels that return blood to the heart; actual site of gas exchange within tissues

Question 5

Capillaries

Answer 5

One cell thick vessels that connect arterioles and venules

Question 6

Hematoma

Answer 6

Bruise; swelling or mass of coagulated blood caused by a break in a blood vessel

Question 7

Hemoconcentration

Answer 7

Decrease in fluid content of the blood such that there’s an increase in non-filtered blood = protein-based blood components (eg. RBCs, enzymes, iron, calcium)

Question 8

Hemolysis

Answer 8

Damage or destruction of RBCs and release of hemoglobin into the serum (serum colour ranges from pink to red)

Question 9

Heparin

Answer 9

Natural anticoagulant made by the body that prevents clotting by inhibiting thrombin formation (thrombin = clot)

Question 10

Serum

Answer 10

Clear, pale-yellow fluid that may be separated from a clotted blood specimen and is similar to plasma except it does not contain fibrinogen or clotting factors, but contains clotting metabolites → clots!

Question 11

Plasma

Answer 11

Top layer of the clear, pale-yellow liquid used for testing; liquid portion of the blood → contains fibrinogen, so it clots, but is usually mixed with an anticoagulant

Question 12

Thrombosis

Answer 12

Blood clotting

Question 13

Vacuum tube system

Answer 13

Pneumatic tube system; systems that propel cylindrical containers through networks of tubes by compressed air or partial vacuum; blood collection system composed of a tube holder, needle, and vacuum

Question 14

Phlebotomy

Answer 14

Incision into the vein for the purpose of drawing blood

Question 15

Phlebotomist

Answer 15

Health professional trained in the collection of blood specimens

Question 16

Venipuncture

Answer 16

Puncture of a vein as part of a medical procedure; phlebotomy

Question 17

Supernatant

Answer 17

Top layer of centrifuge specimen which is above the lower layers (lower = sediment and precipitate)

Question 18

Venous reflux

Answer 18

Condition during which the flow of blood through the veins is inadequate, causing blood to pool in the legs

Question 19

Tortuous

Answer 19

Lumpy, ropey, and hard; description of a hardened vein → lots of scar tissue

Question 20

Antecubital space

Answer 20

Space that is in front of and below the bend of the elbow (where blood may be drawn)