Exam 1 (Ch 6 Vocab)

Question 1

Most errors occur during the ___ ___ for microbiological testing.

Answer 1

“pre-analytical phase”

Question 2

Pre-analytical phase

Answer 2

the time between the healthcare provider ordering a test and the lab receiving the specimen

Question 3

Possible errors during the pre-analytical phase

Answer 3

• incorrect collection technique
• patient not identified correctly
• wrong test order
• wrong type of container used
• specimen mishandled or contaminated

Question 4

Exudate

Answer 4

body fluid excreted from infected tissue

Question 5

Epidemiology

Answer 5

the study of distribution and frequency of disease

Question 6

Suprapubic aspiration

Answer 6

• pierce skin over bladder, insert into bladder, withdraw urine directly from bladder
• performed by physician or PA/NP

Question 7

Biological threat agents (BTAs)

Answer 7

microbial pathogens that can be used as weapons

Question 8

Critical value (panic value)

Answer 8

a lab result that represents a life-threatening situation

Question 9

Xanthochromic

Answer 9

a yellow coloration of a specimen (usually due to bilirubin)

Question 10

Fundamentals for specimen collection (4 main ideas)

Answer 10

1. Containers
2. Date/time of collection
3. Handling
4. Transport

Question 11

Fundamentals: Containers (Elaborate)

Answer 11

• use a leak-proof container with screw-cap lid

- sterile if coming from sterile site

Question 12

Fundamentals: Date/time of collection (Elaborate)

Answer 12

• collection BEFORE antibiotics have started, if possible
• properly label container with the following:
  #patient ID
  #type of specimen
  #date and time of collection

Question 13

Fundamentals: Handling (Elaborate)

Answer 13

• consider viability of organisms, using reference materials if necessary
• sufficient amount of specimen is needed

Question 14

Fundamentals: Transport (Elaborate)

Answer 14

use aseptic technique, depending on source

Question 15

Sterile site

Answer 15

• has no normal flora

- any growth is significant

Question 16

7 types of sterile site specimen

Answer 16

1. Blood
2. Lower respiratory tract
3. Wound exudate
4. Catheterized urine
5. CSF
6. Other body fluids
7. Inner and middle ear

Question 17

Sterile site: Blood (Elaborate)

Answer 17

• blood cultures = very important diagnostic tool
• collected using aseptic technique
• specific collection system

Question 18

Collection system for blood

Answer 18

• uses 2 bottles (aerobic and anaerobic)
• bottles contain:
  #liquid medium
  #anticoagulant
  #antibiotic neutralizer
  #complement neutralizer

Question 19

Bacteremia can lead to ___ ___, which can lead to ___.

Answer 19

• septic shock

- death

Question 20

Sterile site: Lower respiratory tract (Elaborate)

Answer 20

• organs = bronchi and lungs
• sputum and bronchoscopy specimens
• when the patient coughs up the specimen, will still get a small amount of bacteria from the upper respiratory tract

Question 21

2 methods of collecting specimen from the lower respiratory tract

Answer 21

1. Expectorated

2. Induced

Question 22

Expectorated

Answer 22

coughed up

Question 23

Induced

Answer 23

collected by nursing service with a sterile tube

Question 24

Non-sterile site

Answer 24

• has expected normal flora

- look for pathogens or the lack of growth of NF

Question 25

7 types of non-sterile site specimen

Answer 25

1. Upper respiratory tract
2. Genital
3. Stool
4. Superficial wounds
5. Random or CCMS urines
6. Outer ear
7. Skin

Question 26

Non-sterile site: Upper respiratory tract (Elaborate)

Answer 26

• sample usually collected with swab
• organs include:
  #nose
  #nasal cavity
  #buccal cavity
  #pharynx
  #larynx
• must read directions before collection!
• collecting methods differ with location

Question 27

When ordering PCR for Bordetella pertussis, one cannot use a ___ ___ swab because ….

Answer 27

• calcium alginate

- it will inhibit the assay

Question 28

Pharynx collection technique

Answer 28

collection must avoid the cheeks and tongue to avoid contamination

Question 29

Nasopharyngeal collection technique

Answer 29

• use a Dacron swab
• insert into posterior nasopharynx
• rotate gently
• hold in place for 30 seconds

Question 30

Which should be easier to read - sterile or non-sterile sites? Why?

Answer 30

Sterile sites should be easier to read because you don’t have to worry about differentiating between the normal flora and the pathogen/infection.