Sample Collection

Question 1

Procedure used to send a sample to a laboratory for testing

Answer 1

Wear PPE to avoid cross contamination or zoonosis

Ensure sample is in correct container and packaged correctly (i.e. enough formalin?)

Single sample mass/weight must not exceed 50ml/50g

Container airtight and moistureproof

Container correctly labelled (Patient ID, Sex, Species, Name, Date, Sample, Client name)
_________________________________

Wrap sample in absorbent layer in event of leak/broken container

Placed and sealed in biohazard bag

Form filled out and attached in seperate plastic bag

Tertiary layer - placed into padded bag/envolope
________________________________

Outer packaging to include; sender name and address, nature of sample and any special instructions (i.e. handle with care, fragile, pathological specimen)

Sent via first class post or courier

Question 2

Procedure to prepare a urine sample for microscopy of the sediment

Answer 2

Wear PPE

Gently mix urine sample

Draw up sample with pipette and put into tube

Place in centrifuge for 5 minutes at 1500rpm

Remove supernatant fluid with pipette

Add drop of sedistain if required

Resuspend sample by closing lid and flicking tube

Draw up sample with pipette

Place a drop on a clean microscope slide

Place cover slip on sample at 45 degree angle to avoid bubbles

Dispose of PPE, materials and Urine in hazardous waste

Look under microscope at low power, 10x magnification then 40x

Record findings. Use vernier scale to relocate.

Question 3

Explain how you would prepare a recumbent horse to collect a Cerebro-spinal fluid sample.

Answer 3

Technique used for assessment of neurological conditions such as meningitis

Patient should be anaesthetised

Placed in lateral recumbency

Clip hair at atlanto-occipital space

Clean skin using appropriate disinfectant
i.e. hibiscrub and surgical spirit

Question 4

Explain the procedure used to collect the Cerebro-spinal fluid from the patient

Answer 4

Procedure carried out by a VS

Must be sterile i.e surgical scrub, sterile gloves, equipment and consumables

20-22g needle placed and advanced

Sample dripped into plain or EDTA tube

No more than 1ml/5kg of BW to be collected

Needle removed and point of insertion is covered with a sterile dressing

Question 5

Explain how you would prepare a cat to collect a synovial fluid sample

Answer 5

Collected using arthrocentesis

Patient does not require a GA but may need a local anaesthetic

2-3cm area clipped

Skin cleaned using appropriate disinfectant i.e. hibi and surgical spirit

Needle inserted into joint cavity

Question 6

Explain the procedure used to collect a synovial fluid sample

Answer 6

18-23G 1” needle used

Sterile equipment, gloves and consumables used

Fluid dripped into plain or EDTA tube

Question 7

Explain the procedure used to collect the skin scrape from the patient.

Answer 7

Clip fur using size 40 clipper blade

Select size 10 surgical blade and dip in liquid parrafin, moisten skin

Hold blade between finger and thumb. Stretch skin with other hand.

Scrape 3cmx3cm area until capillary ooze

Sample to be placed on microscope slide with liquid paraffin

Coverslip placed on top & label slide

Look at slide under microscope at low power, 10x magnification

Vernier scale

Dispose of materials/ PPE

Question 8

Explain how you would prepare a patient for a skin scrape for Sarcoptes

Answer 8

Select and prepare correct equipment and materials;

Clippers, clipper blades, Size 10 surgical blade, liquid paraffin, gloves, microscope slide, coverslip, microscope, chinagraph pencil

Prepare and clip area using size 40 clipper blades