Pathology

Question 1

EDTA caution

Answer 1

If taking bloods to test potassium, need to take before any tube w EDTA!

Question 2

Additives In Aus Pathology

Answer 2

• acid citrate dextrose
• EDTA - ethylene-diamond-tetra-acetic acid
• fluoride oxalate
• lithium heparin
• sodium citrate

Question 3

Haematology tubes

Answer 3

Purple, blue & grey tops
- store in Fridge @ 4’C OR ice water mix
- Tx to Lab within 4hrs

Blue tops
- correct volume in container is critical

Question 4

Clinical Chemistry

Answer 4

Green/White tops
- stand specimens at Room Temp for 30mins
- Do Not Refrigerate
- Tx to lab within 4 hrs

Question 5

Microbiology

Answer 5

Blood culture bottles
- 8-10mls in each of the 2 culture bottles
- store at Room Temp
- Tx to lab ASAP
- Do Not Refrigerate

Question 6

Microbiological specimens

Answer 6

Urine - clean catch, midstream or catheter urine (10-20mls) in sterile container.
Sputum - catch specimen in sterile container
Faeces - place specimen in faeces specimen container
Wound swabs - use swab to obtain specimen (deep wound swab!) & return to Tx medium provided

Question 7

Transport of specimens

Answer 7

Urine, sputum & faeces
- collect in sterile container
- store in FRIDGE (4’C)

Swabs (wounds, abscesses, skin lesions, eye & ear)
- collected & placed into Tx medium provided
- if Tx delayed (>4hrs to Lab) then store in FRIDGE (4’C)