FMLS Flashcards

Learn about the fundamentals of medical laboratory science

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What role do medical laboratory scientists play in healthcare of society

A

By providing vital information about a patient’s state of health

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2
Q

Where is MLSs input necessary

A

I the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease

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3
Q

What do their analytical and diagnostic Services require

A

A strong scientific knowledge as well as a trained reasoning ability and empathy for humanity

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4
Q

What type of services are provided by you

A

Analytical and diagnostic services

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5
Q

What does HPCSA stand for?

A

Health Professions Council of South Africa

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6
Q

What does the HPCSA administrator? Name 4.

A

Effectiveness
Professionalism
Responsiveness
Efficiency

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7
Q

What are the HPCSA principles? Clue: it’s 4 of them and they advocate and advice on these.

A

Respect
Dignity
Honesty
Integrity

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8
Q

What does the regulator regulate?

A
Transparency 
Rationality 
Accountability 
Consistency 
Impartiality 
Fairness
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9
Q

What is the HPCSA motto?

A

Protect the public and guide the professions

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10
Q

What is the HPCSA vision?

A

Quality and equitable healthcare for all

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11
Q

What are some of the HPCSA missions?

A

To enhance the quality of healthcare for all by developing strategic policy frameworks for effective and efficient coordination and guidance for professions
Setting contextually relevant healthcare training and practice standards for registered professions
Protecting the public in matters involving the rendering of health services

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12
Q

What is the definition of ethics?

A

These are the standards that govern the moral of good and bad based on the social norm and guides the behaviour of human beings

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13
Q

What is the definition of professional ethics?

A

These are a set of moral codes of conduct that guides professionals in practical management of patients

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14
Q

What is the main reason for professional ethics?

A

To enhance respect within and outside of the profession
Protects the rights of patients
Protects the rights and privileges of professionals

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15
Q

Distinguish between ethics and professional ethics

A

Ethics are moral guidelines for any human being, however professional ethics are a guideline for the professional and patients

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16
Q

Explain what is meant by the ethical principle non-maleficence

A

Do not harm yourself or others

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17
Q

Explain beneficence

A

Helping yourself and others/patients in a way as to maximise the ratio of benefits to harm for all people

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18
Q

Explain Autonomy

A

Patients are treated with respect by informing them and making them understand any procedures carried out on them, treating patients information in confidence (don’t confuse it with confidentiality-that is an ethical code)

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19
Q

Explain the principle of justice

A

Treat people fairly, treat equals equal, unequals equally, avoid exploiting vulnerable individuals

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20
Q

What is the main purpose of ethical codes?

A

These ensure the patient’s well being above personal interest

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21
Q

What should all practitioners do?

A

They should be personally accountable for the quality and integrity of care giving to patients

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22
Q

Mention the ethical codes

A

Exercise professional judgement, skill and care
Practice within the scope of one’s professional competence
Where service is beyond one’s capacity, one should summon another professional with necessary capacity

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23
Q

Ethical codes continued

A

Practice the principle of informed consent in patient care
Maintain professional integrity and respect to all patients with regards to gender, age… etc.
Maintain strict confidentiality on all information gained during practice and protect the patient’s right to privacy

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24
Q

Last ethical code

A

Reject all forms of bribery

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25
Q

Mention the ethical rules (things that cannot be done)

A

Diagnose any disease in man or animal
Analyse specimens for diagnosis if it is not required by a registered medical practitioner or dentist
Knowingly give results or any confidential matter to unauthorised persons

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26
Q

Ethical rules continued

A

Advertise directly or indirectly

Falsify results or any other information

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27
Q

Explain further the no advertising rule

A

This just means an MLS cannot advertise their lab to civilians but must present themselves to a doctor or hospital they want to work with

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28
Q

What role does continuous professional development play in relation to MLS

A

To ensure that health practitioners continuously update themselves with new developments in the health industry in order to remain abreast with ever changing trends

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29
Q

How many levels of laboratory categories are there?

A

4 categories

30
Q

What are the 4 categories called

A

Biosafety levels 1,2,3,4

31
Q

Describe what goes on in a biosafety level 1 lab

A

This is the simplest kind used for handling well categorised/characterised micro-organisms that cause no disease in healthy individuals including pathogenic and non-pathogenic organisms
Organisms in this lab should cause minimal biohazard to the lab workers and surrounding and exhibit limited precautions linked to the level
Used for teaching students

32
Q

Describe what goes on in a biosafety level 2 lab

A

Trained personnel in handling pathogenic bacteria are supervised by more experienced personnel and limited access to other staff members not qualified to work in this lab
Use of biosafety cabinets is recommended for work with aerosols, disposal and handling of contaminated sharp equipment is done with utmost precautionary measures
Involves agents that are of moderate risk to humans

33
Q

Describe what goes on in a biosafety level 3 lab

A

Involves organisms transmitted via inhalation and can cause lethal diseases and precautionary measures in BSL 1 and BSL 2 are followed including additional ones
Work is processed under biosafety cabinets and all lab personnel must be immunised and surveillance monitoring done
protective clothing must be front solid and discarded under each use, strictly no lab protective clothing to be taken out of the lab

34
Q

Biosafety level 3 lab continued

A

Maximum containment of infectious material handled in this lab
Two sets of self-closing doors are recommended and air leaving the lab must be filtered before leaving the lab or recirculated

35
Q

Describe what goes on in a biosafety level 4 lab

A

Needs the highest level of biosafety precautions and organisms that are aerosol are transmitted
Cause severe to fatal illnesses and only trained and authorised staff entry
Must be separated from areas with unrestricted entry
Class 3 biosafety cabinet is used

36
Q

Name the necessities needed in the structure of lab that coincides with a safe laboratory design

A

There should be:
Adequate moving, work, storage space and the floor surface should be non-slippery, impermeable to liquids and resistant to chemicals
Walls should be smooth, crack-free, liquid impermeable, easily washable
Adequate ventilation and emergency exits
Lab should be divided according to the type of work performed

37
Q

Name the designs that make the interior of a lab a safe laboratory

A

The bench surface should be the correct width and height with no cracks and should be washable and resistant to disinfectants
Well ventilated, fire proof, locked-up store room for flammable chemicals
Hand basins with elbow controlled tops and clean water preferably by the exit
Safety/biohazard cabinets and fume cupboards
Easily accessible, well maintained fire extinguishers
Adequate wall electric points and adequate and safe disposal system
Display of suitable safety signs and a laboratory coat rail near the exit

38
Q

Mention the general laboratory rules

A

Know the location of fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits and main gas tops
Wear a laboratory coat, buttoned at all times, and close-toe shoes. Remove coat when leaving the laboratory
Pin long hair away from the face and neck and avoid contact with chemicals, equipment or flame
Wear safety glasses when working with strong chemicals and when splashes are likely to occur
Do not wear loose hanging jewellery
Do not use any flammable substance near open flame

39
Q

General laboratory rules continued

A

Handle all flammable solvents and fuming reagents under a fume hood, store in a well ventilated hood
Wear gloves when handling infectious substances and treat all samples as potentially infectious
Cover any cuts with Elastoplast and tape
Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum in the lab
Do not pipette by mouth
Report any injury on duty or during a practical session to the senior person immediately
Students always have to work under supervision of a qualified person

40
Q

Name the types of laboratory hazards experienced in the lab

A

Physical, Chemical, and Biological Hazards

41
Q

Mention the types of physical hazards found

A

Electric, Fire, and Instruments hazards

42
Q

Explain further on the electric hazards and precautions to be taken

A

Electric equipment is a common source of electrical shock so they should be:
Properly grounded according to the manufacturers instruction
Disconnected from electrical supply before doing any repairs
All electrical cords should be secured along the wall and no use of frayed cords

43
Q

Explain further in the fire hazard and precautions to be taken

A

When using a Bunsen burner or open flames there should be no:
Loose clothing and long untied hair
Gas cylinders inside the lab
Smoking
Handling of flammable chemicals next to the Bunsen burner
Trace any suspicious burning smells

44
Q

Explain the instruments hazard and precautions taken

A

Follow precautions supplied by the manufacturer for any lab equipment

45
Q

Mention the types of chemicals hazards that can occur in a lab

A

Flammable, Poisonous and caustic, Carcinogenic, and Burning

46
Q

Explain further the aspect of flammable hazard and precautions to be taken

A
Flammables should be stored in a flame proof cupboard and some are explosives as well and have toxic irritating fumes. Ether causes depression of the CNS.
Therefore:
No flames within 6 feet (1.8m)
Use in ventilated fume cupboard
Use face masks
47
Q

Explain further the poisonous and caustic hazard and the precautions to be taken

A

Any contact with NAOH necessitates immediate care even at low concentration
NAOH, KOH, HCl, H2SO4, Nitric, Methanol, Cyanide may perforate stomach walls or even cause death when ingested or inhaled
Therefore:
Any acid on the skin should be washed away immediately
Pour acids to avoid splashes
Always add acid to water
Never mouth pipette, use pipetting acids

48
Q

Why should you always add acid to water

A

If you add water to acid the concentration of the acid solution will cause a boil and it will splash

49
Q

Why should one never mouth pipette

A

To avoid and decontamination but when it comes to acids it is very dangerous for one to mouth pipette because if one inhales or ingests and of the acids it could be fatal

50
Q

Explain further the carcinogenic hazard and the precautions

A
This is when any substance that causes development of cancer must be made known to workers
O-toluidine, benzene, cyanogen bromide
Therefore:
Avoid direct skin contact 
Follow the proper discarding procedure
51
Q

Explain the burning hazard and the precautions

A

Strong acid, strong base
Can cause severe skin burns, blindness
Therefore:
Avoid splashes and skin contact, use goggles and rubber gloves

52
Q

Explain what is meant by biological

A

Refers to biological specimen and reagents derived from blood components

53
Q

What regulation is of major importance when it comes to biological specimen?

A

The OHSA regulation that covers exposure to biological hazards, protection against blood borne pathogens is of major importance

54
Q

What diseases are of major concern?

A

Viral hepatitis and AIDS

55
Q

What are the precautions to be taken when dealing with biological specimen

A

Proper infection control:
Infection control officers and committees
Use of personal protective clothing and equipment
Enough education and training
Signs and labels
Provisions of Hepatitis B vaccination
Medical follow up after exposure incidents

56
Q

What must be in place for any health care facility?

A

An infectious disease program

57
Q

How should specimen and reagents be stored?

A

Heavy or fragile reagent containers must be stored closer to the floor level

58
Q

What is the definition of a specimen?

A

A specimen also known as a sample is a sample of something, like blood or tissue, that is taken for medical testing

59
Q

What is the importance of proper collection of specimen?

A

To maximise the outcome of laboratory tests for the diagnosis of infectious disease

60
Q

Why are a variety of tests performed on a specimen

A

To make presumptive or definitive diagnosis so that treatment can begin

61
Q

Name the types of specimen

A
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
Glucose specimen 
Semen specimen
Anticoagulated Blood
Urine
Pleural fluid 
Blood Cultures
Stool specimen
62
Q

Explain transport on the ABG specimen

A

This specimen is stored in ice and needs to arrive at the lab within 10 minutes from the time it was drawn. It is of high importance meaning when it gets to the lab it is examined immediately

63
Q

Why is arterial blood used and not blood from the veins

A

Arterial blood is constant so it is easier to check if the gases have fluctuated unlike the blood from the veins which is constantly fluctuating

64
Q

Explain the process of taking the CSF and what is tested for

A

The process of taking CSF specimen is very painful for the patient so an experienced doctor will take this sample and an experienced MLS will examine the specimen. It is of high priority. Because the procedure is painful, it is taken as a last resort when meningitis is suspected in a patient

65
Q

What does the colour of the CSF indicate

A

When the specimen is cloudy, it indicates that there is a presence of bacteria; when the specimen is clear it indicates that there is no bacteria but it is still examined because there could be the presence of a viral/fungal infection

66
Q

What is a glucose most commonly used to test?

A

Diabetes

67
Q

Does fluid have to come from the pleura?

A

No, it depends what is being tested. Fluid can be taken from the pleura (lung region), it could be taken from the perinatal (amniotic) from the amniotic sac

68
Q

What precautions should be taken for blood cultures?

A

Volumetric precautions

The bottle needs to be held upright and volume watched closely during the draw.

69
Q

What occurs when volumetric precautions are not taken for blood cultures?

A

Under-filling can cause possible false negative results

Over-filling could also cause inaccurate results.

70
Q

Explain the specimen transport

A

Specimen should be sent to the lab soon after collection
A cool temperature should be maintained during transportation and prior to analysis
Specimen should be transported on ice or protected from light if necessary
Microbiology and some virology specimen should be transported using media
Safe packing is important for infection control

71
Q

Where can samples be collected?

A

Arteries and Peads
Veins
Capillaries

72
Q

Name the reasons for sample rejection

A
Clotted sample
Severely haemolysed (contaminated with blood)
Improperly labelled/unlabelled
Specimen too old
Leaked
Volume criteria 
Delay transport
Collection of specimen in wrong tube