Venipuncture Equipment Flashcards
What are the components of an ETS?
Double-pointed needle
Holder
Color-coded collection tubes
What is an Evacuated Tube System (ETS)?
Most frequently used collection system, collected directly into the evacuated tube
Minimizes biohazard exposure
What are the characteristics of the ETS needles?
Multisample
Hypodermic
Winged blood collection sets
Various lengths & gauges
What is the length of ETS needles for routine venipuncture?
1 inch & 1.5 inch
What are the gauges/diameters for ETS needles?
Large - 26 gauge
Small - 23 gauge
What are the uses for the different gauges of needles?
Large - collection of units of blood
Small - small veins
What are color-codes for on ETS needles?
They are used for gauge
What is the structure of ETS needles from bottom to top?
Hub Shaft Lumen Bevel Point
What is an example of a multisample needle?
Double-pointed ends
What are the different ends for on a double-pointed ends needle?
One end for venipuncture
One end to puncture the rubber stopper of the evacuated tube that is covered by a rubber sheath
What are some needle engineering controls?
Safety shields
Blunting devices
What are characteristics of needle holders?
Tube-advancing line
Flared ends
Disposable - discarded with the used needle
Safety shields
What are characteristics of needle disposal systems?
Rigid & puncture resistant sharps container
Labeled with “biohazard”
Sealable & lockable
What is the premeasured vacuum of evacuated collection tubes?
1.8 to 15 mL
What are the volume selections for evacuated collection tubes?
Amount of blood needed
Age of the patient
Size & quality of the patients veins
Needle gauge used
What are the characteristics of evacuated tubes?
Sterile
Silicone coated
Label information
Rubber stoppper
What is on the label information on evacuated tubes?
Additives or anticoagulants
Draw volume
Expiration date
What are color-coded tubes indicating?
Type of specimen - additives & anticoagulants
Anticoagulated blood - yields whole blood or plasma
Nonadditive tubes or clot activator tubes - yields serum
Dictated by specific laboratory tests
What do anticoagulated blood tubes yield?
Whole blood or plasma
What do nonadditive tubes or clot activator tubes yield?
Serum
What is plasma?
The liquid portion of whole blood containing water, electrolytes, glucose, proteins, etc.
Contains all the clotting factors necessary for coagulation in inactive form
What is serum?
The fluid that remains after the plasma has clotted
What should you do with evacuated tubes?
Tap to loosen dried anticoagulant
Must be filled to the designated volume
Important to thoroughly but gently mix by inversion
Blood from different tube types can not be mixed
What is in the lavender stopper?
EDTA - ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
Why can’t lavender stopper tubes be used for coagulation studies?
Because EDTA interferes with Factor V & thrombin-fibrinogen reaction
What does EDTA do?
It is an anticoagulant that binds calcium
How is EDTA used in hematology testing?
Maintains cellular integrity
Inhibits platelet clumping
Staining interference is avoided
Is the additive in the lavender stopper an anticoagulant?
Yes
What does the lavender stopper yield?
Blood or plasma
What is the additive in the light blue stopper?
Sodium citrate
Is sodium citrate an anticoagulant?
Yes
What does sodium citrate do?
Binds calcium
What is the ratio of blood to anticoagulant in the light blue stopper?
9:1 & it must be completely filled
What are light blue stoppers used for?
Coagulation studies
What do light blue stoppers yield?
Blood or plasma
What are CTAD tubes specialized for?
Platelet testing
Dark blue tubes are special for what?
Fibrin degradation products
What is the additive in dark blue tubes?
Soybean trypsin inhibitor
What additives are in the green stopper?
Heparin
What ions are in the green stopper that work with heparin?
Sodium ion
Lithium ion
Ammonium ion
Is heparin an anticoagulant?
Yes
What does the green stopper yield?
Blood or plasma
What is the action of heparin?
Inhibits thrombin
What are green stoppers primarily used for?
Chemistry tests
What are the additives in the red/gray or gold stopper?
Silica Separation gel (SST)
What is silica used for?
A clot activator that reduces clotting time