Specimen Collection Flashcards
A term that means "syringe" is: A. evacuated blood collection system B. nonevacuated blood collection system C. Microtainer D. Unopette
B. nonevacuated blood collection system
Specimens for which of the following tests must be collected by syringe? A. ABG B. BUN C. CBC D. ESR
A. ABG
On which of the following patients would a phlebotomist most likely choose a syringe to perform a venipuncture? A. a 14-year old high school freshman B. a 46-year old high school teacher C. a 53-year old construction worker D. an 85- year old grandmother
D. an 85-year old grandmother
On which of the following patients would a phlebotomist most likely use a syringe to collect a blood specimen?
A. a woman who had a mastectomy
B. a man with a heparin lock
C. a woman who just suffered a miscarriage
D. a man who just underwent angioplasty surgery
B. a man with a heparin lock
The closed system that is composed of a needle, a holder, and a tube containing a premeasured amount of vacuum is the: A. evacuated blood collection system B. nonevacuated blood ollection system C. Microtainer system D. Unopette system
A. evacuated blood collection system
Which of the following needle lengths is most commonly used for adult venipuncture? A. 1/2 and 1 inch needles B. 1 and 1-1/2 inch needles C. 1-1/2 and 2 inch needles D. 2 and 2-1/2 inch needles
B. 1 and 1-1/2 inch needles
What criterion does a phlebotomist use when selecting needle guage prior to a venipuncture procedure? A. if the specimen is arterial or venous B. direction of the patient's vein C. the lumen size of the patient's vein D. the physician's order
C. the lumen size of the patient’s vein
Evacuated tubes are manufactured in a range of sizes. Which of the range of volumes listed below most accurately reflects available sizes of evacuated tubes? A. 1 to 15 mL B. 1 to 25 mL C. 2 to 20 mL D. 2 to 30 mL
C. 2 to 20 mL
An evacuated tube contains clot activator and serum separator gel. What color is the Hemogard closure? A. gold B. green C. light green D. royal blue
A. gold
An evacuated tube contains thrombin. What color is the Hemogard closure? A. gold B. green C. orange D. royal blue
C. orange
If an evacuated tube contains heparin and plasma separator gel, what color is the Hemogard closure? A. gold B. light green C. orange D. royal blue
B. light green
Which of the following blood collection devices is manufactured with a rubber sheath? A. single sample needle B. multisample needle C. evacuated tube D. nonevacuated tube
B. multisample needle
Which of the following additives is found in a red stoppered evacuated tube? A. EDTA B. SPS C. none D. sodium heparin
C. none
Which of the following additives is found in an evacuted tube with a green conventional stopper? A. EDTA B. SPS C. none D. sodium heparin
D. sodium heparin
Which of the following additives is found in an evacuated tube with a gray conventional stopper? A. EDTA B. SPS C. sodium citrate D. sodium fluoride
D. sodium fluoride
Which of the following additives is found in an evacuated tube with a yellow conventional stopper? A. EDTA B. SPS C. sodium citrate D. sodium fluoride
B. SPS
Which of the following additives in evacuated tubes binds calcium? A. sodium heparin B. potassium oxalate C. sodium citrate D. thrombin
C. sodium citrate
Which of the following additives in evacuated tubes neutralizes thrombin? A. ACD B. EDTA C. sodium heparin D. sodium citrate
C. sodium heparin
Which of the following evacuated tube stoppers is manufactured with the lowest verified levels of trace elements available? A. lavender B. light blue C. royal blue D. yellow
C. royal blue
Which of the following evacuated tube stoppers is manufactured with very low levels of lead? A. tan B. lavender C. red D. red SST
A, tan
Which of the following additives is found in lavender stoppered evacuated tubes? A. ACD B. CPDA C. EDTA D. SPS
C. EDTA
Which of the following additives is found in an evacuated tube with a yellow conventional stopper? A. ACD B. EDTA C. lithium heparin D. sodium citrate
A, ACD
Which of the following additives is found in an evacuated tube with a light blue conventional stopper? A. ACD B. EDTA C. lithium heparin D. sodium citrate
D. sodium citrate
Which of the following additives in evacuated tubes binds calcium? A. EDTA B. potassium oxalate C. sodium heparin D. thrombin
A. EDTA
Which of the following additives in evacuated tubes promotes clotting? A. ACD B. EDTA C. heparin D. thrombin
D. thrombin
The standard for measuring the diameter of the lumen of a needle is the needle: A. bore B. brand C. guage D. length
C. guage
The internal space of a needle is the needle's: A. bevel B. brand C. guage D. lumen
D. lumen
Which of the following needles has the largest interior diamenter? A. 18 B. 19 C. 20 D. 21
D. 18
Which of the following needles has the smallest interior diameter? A. 20 B. 21 C. 22 D. 23
D. 23
Listed below are conventional stopper colors of evacuated tubes. Which stopper color should be used when collecting specimens for analyses that require BOTH a patients cells and serum? A. green B. green PST C. red D. red SST
C. red
Listed below are conventional stopper colors of evacuated tubes. Which stopper color indicates the tube contains silica particles to facilitate blood clotting? A. red B. red SST C. green D. green PST
B. red SST
Which of the following needle gauges is used most often to perform routine venipuncture? A. 20 and 21 B. 21 and 22 C. 22 and 23 D. 23 and 24
B. 21 and 22
Which of the following additives in evacuated tubes acts a glycolytic inhibitor? A. lithium heparin B. potassium oxalate C. sodium citrate D. sodium fluoride
D. sodium fluoride
Which of the following additives in evacuated tubes prevents platelets from clumping? A. EDTA B. SPS C. potassium oxalate D. sodium citrate
A. EDTA
Which of the following additives in evacuated tubes preserves labile coagulation factors? A. EDTA B. SPS C. sodium citrate D. sodium heparin
C. sodium citrate
Which of the following additives in evacuated tubes produces artifact residue on blood smears stained with Wright's stain? A. EDTA B. fibrin C. sodium heparin D. thrombin
C. sodium heparin
A phlebotomist transfixes a vein during a venipuncture. Which of the following specimen characteristics may result? A. clotting in plasma tubes B. hemolyzed specimen C. hemoconcentration of specimen D. short draw
D. short draw
A phlebotomist obtains a specimen from a patient, following a traumatized venipuncture. Which of the following specimen characteristics may result? A. hemoconcentration B. hemolysis C. glycolysis D. lipemia
B. hemolysis
A lavender stoppered evacuated tube must be redrawn because of clots in the tube. What collection error causes this?
A. traumatized specimen
B. transfixed vein
C. improper patient preparation
D. insufficient mixing of additive with specimen
D. insufficient mixing of additive with specimen
Which of the following equipment would a phlebotomist carry on his or her tray for a skin puncture procedure? A. holder, needle, evacuated tube B. syringe, heparin, ice C. Simplate, filter paper, stopwatch D. lancet, Microtainer, guaze
D. lancet, Microtainer, guaze
A potential complication of accidentally puncturing the calcaneus bone during skin puncture, characterized by inflammation of the bone and bone marrow is called: A. osteocarcinoma B. osteochondritis C. osteomyelitis D. osteoporosis
C. osteomyelitis
A potential complication of accidentally puncturing the calcaneus bone during skin puncture, characterized by inflammation of the bone and cartilage, is called: A. osteocarcinoma B. osteochondritis C. osteomyelitis D. osteoporosis
B. osteochondritis
A potential complication of accidentally puncturing the calcaneus bone during skin puncture, characterized by the presence of pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins in the blood or other tissues, is called: A. osteochondritis B. osteomylitis C. sepsis D. stasis
C. sepsis
An inherited condition that is caused by the body's inability to metabolize phenylalanine is: A. PCV B. PID C. PKU D. PPLO
C. PKU
Which of the following values are higher in newborns than in adults? A. electrolyte levels B. red cell counts C. heterophile titer levels D. varicella zoster virus
B. red cell counts
Which of the following blood constituents will increase as the oxygen content of the air decreases? A. red blood cell counts B. write blood cell counts C. CK levels D. LDH levels
A. red cell counts
Which of the following values are higher in the morning? A. cortisol levels B. eosinophil counts C. iron levels D. WBC counts
A. cortisol levels
Eating which of the following foods can cause lipemic serum in a patient's blood specimen? A. apple B. butter C. carrot D. hard candy
B. butter
Which of the following can affect cortisol levels? A. caffeine B. glucose C. lipids D. saccharin
A. caffeine
Which of the following levels will remain elevated for at least 24 hours following exercise? A. ABG B. BUN C. CBC D. CK
D. CK
A patient is being treated with a thiazide diuretic. Which health care professional is responsible for recognizing potential drug interferences with test results. A. medical technologist B. nurse C. phlebotomist D. physician
D. physician
Changing a patient’s position from supine to standing will cause which physiologic change?
A. no change will occur
B. plasma glucose will increase
C. water will filter from the plasma to the tissues
D. water will filter from the tissues to the plasma
C. water will filter from the plasma to the tissues
During pregnancy, the increase of body fluids may cause a patient's RBC count to: A. decrease B. increase C. remain unchanged D. show no difference due to gender
A. decrease
Which of the following patient conditions may cause a transient elevation in WBC count results? A. altitude change B. gender C. pregnancy D. stress
D. stress
A new field of medicine that deals with the study of interaction between the brain, endocrine system, and the immune system is called: A. psychiatry B. psychoneuroimmunology C. psychoanaleptic D. psychodometry
B. psychoneurommunology
What method of blood collection is preferred for infants? A. accessing indwelling lines B. arterial puncture C. skin puncture D. venipuncture
C. skin puncture
Specimens for home glucose monitoring are routinely collected by: A. accessing indwelling lines B. arterial puncture C. skin puncture D. venipuncture
C. skin puncture
Specimens for which of the following patients should be drawn by skin puncture?
A. a new admint, for a chemistry profile
B. a 6 month old baby for a blood culture
C. a 25 year old woman for type and crossmatch
D. an oncology patient, for a WBC count and platelet count
D. an oncology patient, for a WBC count and platelet count
Why is skin puncture preferred over venipuncture for infants for the collection of blood specimens? A. continuous quality indicator B. increased accuracy of test results C. prevent anemia D. prevent infection
C. prevent anemia
Which of the following tests is most commonly performed on skin puncture samples? A. PCV B. pH C. PKU D. PTT
C. PKU
Which of the following collection procedures will yield a specimen composed of arterial, venous, and capillary blood? A. arterial puncture B. drawing from an indwelling line C. skin puncture D. venipuncture
C. skin puncture
If a skin puncture site is warmed prior to blood collection, the specimen is said to be: A. arterialized B. concentrated C. hemolyzed D. ischemic
A. arterialized
Which of the following test procedures cannot be performed on specimens collected by skin puncture? A. bilirubin B. blood cultures C. calcium D. T3, T4
B. blood cultures
Which of the following test procedures cannot be performed on specimens collected by skin puncture? A. bilirubin B. calcium C. ESR D. T3, T4
C. ESR
Which of the following test procedures cannot be performed on specimens collected by skin puncture? A. APTT B. bilirubin C. calcium D. T3, T4
A. APTT
Which of the following information should not be provided to the patient by the phlebotomist?
A. if the phlebotomist is a student
B. the department the phlebotomist works in
C. the phlebotomist’s name
D. what the test is for
D. what the test is for
Which of the following laboratory professionals has the greatest public relations responsibility for the laboratory? A. pathologist B. phlebotomist C. medical laboratory technician D. medical technologist
B. phlebotomist
A phlebotomist enters a patient’s room at 5:30 AM, but the patient is asleep. The phlebotomist should:
A. ask the nurse to wake the patient
B. gently wake the patient and proceed
C. mark the slip can’t get and return to the lab
D. return to the patient’s room later
B. gently wake the patient and proceed
A phlebotomist is about to collect a blood specimen from a patient in ICU, but the patient is unconscious. The phlebotomist should:
A. call a code
B. call a nurse
C. proceed as though the patient were conscious
D. return when the patient awakens
C. proceed as though the patient were conscious
Which of the following personnel has priority with the patient? A. phlebotomist with a stat request B. physician talking to a patient C. nurse giving the patient a bed bath D. respiratory therapist
B. physician talking to a patient
Which of the following has priority with the patient? A. clergyman administering Communion B. nurse giving a bed bath C. phlebotomist to collect a CBC D. respiratory therapist
A. clergyman administering Communion
If a patient is not in his or her room, how should the phlebotomist locate the patient? A. ask at the nurse's station B. page the patient C. refer to the patient's chart D. search the laboratory's computer
A. ask at the nurse’s station
If a patient’s family is in the patient’s room when the phlebotomist enters, the phlebotomist should:
A. ask the family to restrain the patient
B. ask the family to step outside the room
C. explain the test’s clinical significance
D. ignore the family
B. ask the family to step outside the room
How many steps are involved in proper patient identification? A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4
B. 2
What is the first step in proper patient identification?
A. the phlebotomist asks, “Are you Mrs. Smith?”
B. the nurse identifies the patient by room number
C. the patient is asked to state his or her name
D. the phlebotomist reads the card above the bed
C. the patient is asked to state his or her name
What is the most important step in patient identification?
A. asking “are you Mrs. Smith?”
B. verifying identification with the nurse
C. verifying identification with a visitor
D. comparing the medical record number on the requisition with the patient’s wristband
D. comparing the medical record number on the requisition with the patient’s wristband
Which of the following information should NEVER be the same on any two patients? A. date of birth B. first names C. last names D. medical record number
D. medical record number
If a patient's wristband matches the requisition entirely except for the medical record number, the phlebotomist should: A. change the number on the requisition B. change the number on the wristband C. contact the nurse's station D. draw the patient
C. contact the nurse’s station
If a patient’s identification bracelet is on his or her nightstand and it matches the requisition exactly, the phlebotomist should:
A. ask a nurse to affix the wristband on the patient
B. discard the requisition
C. discard the wristband
D. draw the patient
A. ask a nurse to affix the wristband on the patient
What infection control equipment should the phlebotomist use when performing a skin puncture procedure?
A. alcohol, sterile gauze
B. heel warmer, Unopette, Simplate
C. lancet, capillary tubes, heel warmer, alcohol pad
D. sharps, biohazard bag, gown, gloves
D. sharps, biohazard bag, gown, gloves
What equipment does the phlebotomist need for site preparation prior to skin puncture?
A. heel warmer, alcohol, sterile gauze
B. heel warmer, povidone iodine, sterile gauze
C. lancet, Unopette, sharps, gloves
D. gown, gloves, sharps, biohazard bag
A. heel warmer, alcohol, sterile gauze
Heel warmers should heat within which of the following temperature ranges? A. 35 - 39 B. 36 - 40 C. 37 - 41 D. 39 - 42
D. 39-42
What is the maximum length lancet that may be safely used for skin puncture on an infant's foot? A. 2.4 mm B. 3.0 mm C. 2.4 cm D. 3.0 cm
A 2.4mm
Which of the following describes the best site to select for skin puncture on an infant’s foot?
A. arch area of the foot
B. lateral portion of the palmar surface of the heel
C. lateral portion of the plantar surface of the heel
D. posterior curvature of the heel
C. lateral portion of the plantar surface of the heel
Which of the following sites is acceptable to use for skin puncture on an infant’s foot?
A. arch of the foot
B. lateral portion of the palmar surface of the heel
C. posterior curvature of the heel
D. the great toe
D. the great toe
Which of the following describes the best site to select for skin puncture, using a patient's finger? A. distal phalanx of the index finger B. distal phalanx of the little finger C. distal phalanx of the middle finger D. distal phalanx of the thumb
C. distal phalanx of the middle finger
Which of the following sites is the best site to select for skin puncture, using a patient's finger? A. distal phalanx of the index finger B. distal phalanx of the little finger C. distal phalanx of the ring finger D. distal phalanx of the thumb
C. distal phalanx of the ring finger
Which of the following sites is the best site to select for skin puncture, using a patient’s finger?
A. distal phalanx of the thumb, palmar surface
B. index finger, palmar surface
C. little finger, palmar surface
D. middle finger, palmar surface
D. middle finger, palmar surface
Skin punctures performed on patients’ fingers should be made:
A. at the crease between the first and second phalanx
B. on the very tip of the finger
C. parallel to the fingerprints
D. perpendicular to the fingerprints
D. perpendicular to the fingerprints
If a heel warmer is applied to a skin puncture site, this will:
A. decrease blood flow to the site
B. increase blood flow to the site
C. prevent hemoconcentration of the specimen
D. prevent hemolysis of the specimen
B. increase blood flow to the site
By how much blood flow to a skin puncture site be increased if a warmer is applied prior to skin puncture? A. 4 times B. 5 times C. 6 times D. 7 times
D. 7 times
What portion of the capillary circulation is increased when a warmer is applied to a skin puncture site? A. arterial B. capillary C. interstitial fluid D. venous
A. arterial
At least how long should a warmer be applied to a skin puncture site prior to making a skin puncture? A. 3 minutes B. 4 minutes C. 5 minutes D. 6 minutes
A 3 minutes
Which of the following tests requires that the site be warmed prior to skin puncture? A. bilirubin B. calcium C. capillary blood gases D. reticulocyte count
C. capillary blood gases
Which of the following actions may result in a QNS skin puncture specimen?
A. alcohol contamination
B. anemic condition of the patient
C. failure to wipe away the first drop of blood
D. insufficient puncture
D. insufficient puncture
What is the rationale for the order of draw for the collection of multiple specimens following skin puncture? A. minimize contamination B. minimize hemoconcentration C. minimize hemolysis D. minimize platelet clumping
D. minimize platelet clumping
The following tests were to be collected from a patient following skin puncture: platelet count, bilirubin, T3. In what order should these tests be collected? A. bilirubin, platelet count, T3 B. bilirubin, T3, platelet count C. platelet count, bilirubin, T3 D. T3, bilirubin, platelet count
C. platelet count, bilirubin, T3
The following Microtainers were to be collected following skin puncture: lavender, pink, red SST. In what order should the microtainers be collected? A. lavender, pink, red SST B. pink, red SST, lavender C. pink, lavender, red SST D. red SST, lavender, pink
A. lavender, pink, red SST
What is the maximum number of times an infant's heel may be punctured to collect a blood specimen? A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4
B. 2
Which of the following could cause hemolysis of a specimen obtained by skin puncture?
A. collecting specimens in an incorrect order
B. residual alcohol left on the site
C. using povidone iodine to clean the site
D. warming the site
B. residual alcohol left on the site
Which of the following could cause hemolysis of a specimen collected by skin puncture?
A. excessive squeezing of the puncture site to secure the specimen
B. incorrect order of draw
C. using povidone iodine to prepare the site
D. warming the site
A. excessive squeezing of the puncture site to secure the specimen
Bleeding time procedures are usually ordered: A. as timed tests B. in a series C. presurgically D. stat
C. presurgically
Bleeding times are used to assess which of the following? A. coumarin dosage B. fibrinogen levels C. heparin dosage D. platelet function
D. platelet function
Bleeding times are used to assess which of the following? A. blood vessel integrity B. pancreatic function C. risk of diabetes D. risk of heart disease
A. blood vessel integrity
Which of the following can influence the results of a bleeding time test? A. cholesterol level B. circulating von Willebrand's factor C. glucose level D. potassium level
B. circulating von Willebrand’s factor
Which of the following medications will interfere with the bleeding time test result? A. acetaminophen B. aspirin C. insulin d. furosemide
B. aspirin
Which of the following medications will interfere with the results of the bleeding time test? A. acetaminophen B. insulin C. furosemide D. salicylic acid
D. salicylic acid
Before starting a bleeding time test, the phlebotomist should:
A. ask the patient to sign a consent form
B. ask the patient if he or she has eaten
C. ask the patient if he or she has taken any medications
D. take the patient’s blood pressure
C. ask the patient if he or she has taken any medications
Which of the following procedures is routinely performed on a patient's earlobe? A. Duke bleeding time B. glucose tolerance test C. lactose tolerance test D. modified Ivy bleeding test
A. Duke bleeding time
Which of the following is used to collect blood following the puncture in a Duke bleeding time procedure? A. filter paper B. microhematocrit tube C. Microtainer tube D. Unopette
A. filter paper