Random Questions Flashcards
Chain of custody is:
is the process of maintaining control of a specimen from point of collection until the test is completed. The specimen is packaged in a permanently sealed, tamper proof container. A chain of custody form is required; the form accompanies the specimen throughout the testing process, and is used to document the identity of anyone who handles the specimen. If the lab receives a specimen without a chain of custody form, a new specimen must be collected.
An amendment created to ensure accurate laboratory results was passed in 1988 and enacted in 1992; it applies to every American clinical laboratory. What is the name of this amendment?
The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment, CLIA88, requires every American clinical laboratory to document the education and the continuing education of each of its employees. In addition, CLIA 88 requires documentation of all procedural steps of all lab testing conducted in that clinical laboratory.
If the laboratory is conducting moderate to complex testing, the facility must also undergo biannual inspections. The phlebotomist should have a basic understanding of CLIA88 and its impact on the facility in which s/he is employed. CLIA88 also establishes what tests the phlebotomist is permitted to perform.
non-verbal communication-
non-verbal communication (arms uncrossed, body erect and relaxed) communicates friendly professionalism.
The purpose of an incident report is:
An incident is required for any kind of incident, it should be completed within twenty-four hours of an occurrence. It is an internal document used to document the details of an unusual event. Incidents are not only patient injuries, an incident can be a visitor tripping, or missing patient belongings, or using the wrong colored topped tube. Incidents reports are not an admission of guilt, simply a report of the incident.
Advanced directives-
Advanced directives are legal documents that describe the wishes of a person regarding health care to be used when they can no longer make choices for themselves. Advanced directives are not similar to do not resuscitate (DNR) orders. As long as the client can understand and make choices, the advanced directive is not effective. In addition, an advanced directive becomes effective only after these three steps:
1.A physician determines that the patient has lost decision-making capacity.
2.A physician determines the patient’s diagnosis and prognosis.
3.A physician has evaluated the wishes as expressed in the document to determine what the client may want or not want.
In the hazard identification system, four small color-coded diamonds are grouped into a larger diamond. Numbers represent the severity of the hazard. What would the yellow diamond with the number 4 indicate?
Yellow indicates a reactivity/stability hazard. The number 4 indicates extreme hazard.
Yellow indicates a reactivity/stability hazard. These are chemicals or substances capable of exploding or toxic chemical reactions. The number system is coded as zero (no hazard) through four (most hazardous). In the example, the yellow diamond with a number 4 indicates an extreme reactivity/stability hazard.
What does a hazard identification label with a red diamond and the number 1 indicate?
A red diamond with a number 1 is part of the hazard identification system and indicates a mild flammability hazard. The blue diamond indicates health hazards. The white diamond is to indicate special health hazards such as radioactivity, special biohazards, and other dangerous-to-health elements. The yellow diamond indicates reactivity/stability hazards. The numbers indicate the severity of the hazard from none at all (0) to extremely hazardous (4).
Hepatitis is:
Hepatitis is a liver infection that is caused by a virus. The hepatitis virus can be one of several different serotypes and can lead to cirrhosis or cancer of the liver in susceptible patients. Hepatitis B is a form of this disease that can be prevented by a series of three vaccines. Health care workers are offered this injection series free of change. Hepatitis A is a form of the disease that is acquired through contaminated food.
HIV?
HIV is a blood-borne pathogen that can be spread through blood and body fluids. HIV can also be spread through sexual contact. HIV is a virus that can lead to the disease state known as AIDS. Health care workers are at risk for contracting HIV through needle-sticks or sharps-related injuries. HIV is not as virulent at Hepatitis.
Asepsis procedures are necessary because:
Asepsis procedures reduce the spread of disease-causing organisms. Asepsis procedures require adequate cleaning of patient care areas, proper disinfection techniques prior to specimen collection, and sanitization and disinfection of reusable patient instruments. Asepsis is a medical term meaning, “without infection.”
Needle-stick protection devices are:
Needle-stick protection devices are required by law according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. These devices are engineering controls that reduce the risk of needle-sticks by providing a cover for used needles. Some devices are retractable needles, while others are safety caps that can be snapped on the needle after use. While all used needles should be placed directly into an approved sharps container, these engineering controls add an extra protective mechanism to avoid injury.
A client has been identified as having a very virulent bacterial infection that is spread through close physical contact. The patient care technician understands that, in order to decrease the chance of spreading these organisms, which of the following infection control precautions should be observed?
Airborne precautions
Droplet precautions
Contact precautions
Protective precautions
Contact precautions.
Answer: For infections spread by direct contact with infected items, the nursing staff would implement contact precautions. All other precautions listed are not necessary. Standard precaution, which is not listed as an option, would also be used.
The physician requests a pair of sterile scissors. A pair of scissors found at the bedside is in an original factory wrapping that has been opened but taped closed again. Which of the following should the patient care technician do?
-Check the hospital policy manual regarding use of opened supplies.
-Obtain a pair of sterile scissors that have not been opened.
-Provide the scissors to the physician because they are available and probably have not been used.
-Question another patient care technician regarding the sterility of the scissors found at the table.
Answer: B - The patient care technician should obtain a pair of sterile scissors that have not been opened. Using the principle of sterile technique, sterile objects once opened are considered unsterile because of the break in the sterile packaging. The exposure allows airborne microorganisms to infiltrate the sterile object. If you are in doubt about the sterility of the object, assume the object is unsterile
A client has been identified as having a very virulent bacterial infection that is spread through close physical contact. The patient care technician understands that, in order to decrease the chance of spreading these organisms, which of the following infection control precautions should be observed?
Airborne precautions
Droplet precautions
Contact precautions
Protective precautions
Answer: C - For infections spread by direct contact with infected items, the nursing staff would implement contact precautions. All other precautions listed are not necessary. Standard precaution, which is not listed as an option, would also be used.
After emptying urine from the bedpan of a client whose urinary output is being monitored, what should you do next?
Wash hands thoroughly.
Apply a clean pair of gloves.
Report the amount of urine to the nurse.
Document the amount and characteristic of urine in the chart.
Answer: A - After any procedure is completed, the patient care technician must wash her hands to prevent transmission of microorganism. The application of gloves is only necessary if the patient care technician must attend to another item of personal care before documenting urinary output; even so, hands should be washed first. Crucial information is reported to the nurse, not routine intake and output.
