Blood Bank Basics
What two patient identifiers are required for blood bank specimens?
Name and Unique ID number
What does "fasting" mean for a lab test?
No food or drink except water for a specified time
What does POCT stand for ?
Point of Care Testing
What does LIS stand for?
Laboratory Information System
Name one example of a nonblood specimen.
Urine, Sputum, Stool, CSF
What tube top is typically required for blood bank testing
Pink
Why is timing important for therapeutic drug monitoring?
Drug levels change over time in the bloodstream
Where is POCT commonly performed?
At or near the patient (bedside, clinic, ER)
What is the purpose of LIS?
To track specimens and report results
What does GTT stand for?
Glucose Tolerance Test
Why is blood bank labeling more strict than routine lab labeling?
To prevent transfusion reactions due to misidentification.
What is the purpose of using sterile technique during blood culture collections?
To prevent contamination from skin microorganisms
Name one example of POCT discussed in this chapter.
Glucose, hemoglobin, or urinalysis
Name one preanalytical error that can occur during specimen collection.
Improper labeling, hemolysis, or wrong tube
Why is patient fasting important for a GTT?
Food intake affects glucose levels
When must blood band specimens be labeled?
Immediately at the patient's bedside.
List one reason a physician might order blood cultures,
Suspected bacteremia, sepsis, or unexplained fever
Why is Quality control important in POCT?
To ensure accurate and reliable results
What is one reason a specimen may be rejected?
Unlabeled/Mislabeled specimen or insufficient quantity
What is the most common site for arterial puncture?
Radial artery
What information must appear on the blood bank specimen label?
Patient name, ID number, date/time, and collector's initials
What happens if blood cultures are contaminated?
False-positive results leading to unnecessary treatment.
Why must POCT operators be properly trained?
Because results directly impact immediate patient care.
Why is proper specimen transport time critical?
Delays can alter test results
What does a failed Modified Allen test indicate?
Inadequate collateral circulation- do NOT use that site.