Venipuncture Equipment

Question 1

CLSI Mandate: Verify Patient Information from
at least 2 sources

Answer 1

Requisition Form

Question 2

The evacuated tube system consists of a double-pointed needle to puncture the stopper of the collection tube, a holder to hold the needle and blood collection tube, and color-coded evacuated tubes.

Answer 2

Evacuated Tube System

Question 3

The smaller the gauge number the bigger the
diameter of the needle.

Question 4

Have the stopper puncturing needle covered by a rubber sheath that is pushed back when a tube is attached and returns to full needle coverage when the tube is removed. This prevents leakage of blood when tubes are being changed.

Answer 4

Multi-sample needles

Question 5

All needles consist of a bevel (angled point), shaft, lumen, and hub

Question 6

Needles with safety devices activated must always be placed in rigid, puncture-resistant, leak-proof disposable “sharps” containers labelled BIOHAZARD that are easily sealed and locked when full.

Answer 6

Needle Disposal System

Question 7

Made of rigid plastic and may be designed to act as a safety shield for the used needle.

Answer 7

Needle/Tube Holder

Question 8

Tubes used for blood collection. They contain a premeasured amount of vacuum.

Answer 8

Evacuated Tubes

Question 9

Prevent clotting by binding calcium or inhibiting thrombin in the coagulation cascade.

Answer 9

Anticoagulants

Question 10

Most common anticoagulants that work by binding calcium.

Answer 10

Ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid (EDTA)
Citrates
Oxalates

Question 11

Prevents clotting by inhibiting the formation of thrombin necessary to convert fibrinogen to fibrin in the coagulation process.

Answer 11

Heparin

Question 12

No clot activator, no anticoagulant and clear

Answer 12

Serum Tube (Glass)

Question 13

With clot activator and gel separator, no anticoagulant and hazy

Answer 13

Serum Tube (Plastic)

Question 14

With dry di-potassium and liquid tri-potassium. Used for routine Hematology tests, HBA1c, Hemoglobin electrophoresis and Reticulocyte counting.

Answer 14

EDTA Plasma Tube (Lavender)

Question 15

For blood bank (crossmatching and blood typing)

Answer 15

Pink top

Question 16

Concentration of Blue Top

Answer 16

0.105 mol/L or 3.13% (glass)
0.109 mol/L or 3.2% (plastic)
0.129 mol/L or 3.8% (plastic)

Question 17

For Coagulation Testing

Answer 17

Sodium Citrate Plasma Tube (Blue)

Question 18

For special chemistry test (Troponin assays), Karyotyping etc. except electrolytes

Answer 18

Sodium heparin

Question 19

For routine clinical chemistry test and electrolytes

Answer 19

Lithium heparin

Question 20

For chemistry tests.
Heparin - Dark green (non-gel) and green (gel)

Answer 20

Heparin Plasma Tubes (Green)

Question 21

Used for glucose testing. Has 2 forms in Sodium flouride + Potassium oxalate or Sodium flouride + K2EDTA

Answer 21

Flouride Plasma Tube (Gray)

Question 22

Containing buffered sodium citrate are used for Westergren sedimentation rates. They differ from light blue top tubes in that they provide a ratio of blood to liquid anticoagulant of 4 to 1. Specially designed tubes for Westergren sedimentation rates are available.

Answer 22

Black Top

Question 23

Containing the anticoagulant sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS) are used to collect samples to be cultured for the presence of microorganisms. SPS also prevents coagulation by binding calcium. SPS aids in the recovery of microorganisms by inhibiting the actions of complement, phagocytes, and certain antibiotics.

Answer 23

Yellow Top

Question 24

Prevents coagulation by binding calcium and aids in the recovery of microorganisms by inhibiting the actions of complement, phagocytes, and certain antibiotics.

Answer 24

sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS)

Question 25

The order of draw recommended by CLSI for both evacuated system and when filling tubes in a syringe:

Answer 25

Blood cultures (yellow stopper tubes, culture bottles) Light blue stopper tubes (sodium citrate) Red/gray, gold stopper tubes (serum separator tubes), red stopper plastic tubes (clot activator), and red stopper glass tubes Green stopper tubes and light green (plasma separator tubes) (heparin) Lavender stopper tubes (EDTA) Gray stopper tubes (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride) Yellow/gray or orange stopper tubes (thrombin clot activator)

Question 26

Provides a safe means for blood transfer without using the syringe needle or removing the tube stopper. An evacuated tube holder with a rubber-sheathed needle inside.

Answer 26

Blood Transfer Device

Question 27

Used for the infusion of IV fluids and for performing venipuncture from very small or very fragile veins often seen in children and in the geriatric population. Usually 21 or 23 gauge with lengths of 1/2 to 3/4 inch.

Answer 27

Winged Blood Collection or Butterfly

Question 28

Gloves with powder are not recommended because the powder can contaminate patient samples and cause falsely elevated calcium values. The glove powder can also cause a sensitization to latex.

Question 29

Used during venipuncture to make it easier to locate patients’ veins.

Answer 29

Tourniquet

Question 30

Primary antiseptic used for cleansing the skin in routine phlebotomy

Answer 30

70% isopropyl alcohol

Question 31

Used for applying pressure to the puncture site after the needle has been removed.

Answer 31

2x2-inch gauze pads

Question 32

Placed over the puncture site when the bleeding has stopped.

Answer 32

Bandage or adhesive tape/micropore

Question 33

May be needed to prepare blood films for certain hematology tests.

Answer 33

Clean glass slides

Question 34

For labelling tubes

Answer 34

Pen/marker

Question 35

1-inch and 1.5-inch lengths are used

Answer 35

For routine venipuncture

Question 36

Venipuncture needles include multi-sample needles, hypodermic needles, and winged blood collection needles.

Question 37

Needle size by length for routine venipuncture

Answer 37

1-inch and 1.5-inch

Question 38

Needle size by gauge for routine venipuncture

Answer 38

16-gauge to 23-gauge