Documentation
The length of time documentation should be kept?
Per facility policy usually a minimum of 2 years
PT/INR measures this
What is blood clotting time
These tests require fasting
Glucose, lipids, some metabolic tests
This special consideration should be apply to elderly patients.
What is fragile veins, thin skin, possible hearing impairment?
The scope of practise for phlebotomists.
What is blood collection, basic patient interaction, specimen processing?
Do not dig or redirect, remove needle and try again.
What is what to do if you miss a vein?
You should draw a discard tube first or use a different method
What is when drawing a light blue top tube only?
Document this when a patient refuses a draw
What is patient refusal reason if given and notification of appropriate staff?
These are the tests in this panel, glucose, sodium potassium, chloride, BUN, creatinine and CO2
What is a basic metabolic panel?
Patients cannot take medications while fasting.
What is false
This consideration should be applied to pregnant patients.
What is avoiding supine position after 20 weeks, watch for fainting?
Phlebotomists should not work with patients and report to supervisor in this case.
What is when phlebotomist is not feeling well?
Blood leaking into surrounding tissue can cause this
What is a hematoma?
You should draw this tube third (after blood cultures and light blue)
what is where red top tubes fall in the order of draw?
You should contact physician or nurse for complete information.
What is how to handle incomplete requisitions?
CBC stands for this
What is Complete Blood Count?
Patients can have this while fasting.
What is water
Explain the procedures, use distraction techniques, be patient.
What is how to handle anxious patients?
You should report immediately and document appropriately when this happens.
What is make an error?
Check needle position or try a new tube if this happens
What is what to do if vacuum tube doesn't fill?
What is the last tube in standard order of draw?
You should handle these factually, objectively, completely, and promptly.
What is how to complete incident reports?
Normal range for hemoglobin in adult females.
What is 12-15 g/dL?
Patients should fast _________ hours
What is 9-12?
When approaching this type of patient you should speak slowly and clearly, maintain calm demeanor, involve caregiver.
What is how to approach patients with dementia?
Keep confidential and follow HIPAA guidelines when handling this.
What is how to handle patient information?
Too much suction or vacuum on a vein
What is what causes a collapsed vein?
"Boys Love Red Cars, Green Lights, Gray Days" (Blood cultures, light blue, Red, Clot Activator, Green, Lavender, Gray
What is mnemonic to help remember the order of draw?
Patient ID, date/time, site used, any complications
What is what must be documented for each blood draw?
A red top or SST tube is used for this fasting test
What is a lipid panel?
This habit should be avoided when fasting as it can affect some tests.
What is smoking?
When dealing with this population you should use appropriate restraint with assistance, consider capillary collection
This is usually worn by phlebotomists.
What is clean scrubs, closed-toe shoes and minimal jewelry?
If you go to deep or lateral needle placement happens during a venipuncture this can happen
What is what can cause nerve damage during a venipuncture?
Cross-contamination of additives can affect test results.
What is what happens when you don't follow order of draw?
Patient demographics, tests ordered, physician information.
What is information included on a requisition?
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
What is what does ESR stand for?
Fasting time for triglycerides
What is 12 hours?
These precautions are needed for patients on anticoagulants
What is apply pressure longer, watch for excessive bleeding?
Phlebotomists can interpret lab results.
What is no, that is outside the scope of a phlebotomist's practice?
Rough handling, small needles or forcing blood through a syringe can cause this
To minimize contamination blood cultures are drawn in this order
What is why blood cultures are drawn first?
Add initials as soon as possible and document the correction.
What is what should be done if you forget to initial a label?
This is tube is used for blood typing
What is lavender?
If this happens while fasting, you should reschedule or mark as non-fasting.
What is eating before a fasting test?
Heel stick (lateral or medial plantar surface)
What is the best site for blood collection in infants?
If this happens you should listen, document, report to supervisor
What is what to do if a patient complains?
If this happens adjust needle position slightly or check that it's in far enough
What is what you should do if no blood flows when you insert the needle?
When using multi tube needles this is not needed
What is you should not have to change needles in between tubes
Use only approved ____________ per facility policy instead of full terms.
What is abbreviations?
150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter or 150-450 plt/ul
What is normal range for platelets?
Chewing this is not allowed due to it can affect some tests
What is chewing gum?
23 gauge or smaller is best for this population
What is the needle size best for pediatric patients?
If this happens you should anchor the vein more firmly with your non-dominant hand
What should you do if a patient's vein "rolls"?
This tube is drawn after blood cultures in order of draw
What is light blue tubes
14-17 g/dL
What is normal hemoglobin for an adult male?
Consult with the physician about medication timing when this type of patient is asked to fast for a lab test
What is what to do when diabetic patients are required to fast?
For this population check for circulation problems, rotate fingerstick sites.
What is special precautions needed for diabetic patients?
These are small red spots caused by tourniquet being too tight
What is petechiae