Clinical Laboratory Specimens
The most common specimen analyzed in the hematology section is:
Whole blood
This is what blood is typically collected into during a standard venipuncture procedure.
Needle holder
These sterile bottles, often tested for septicemia, are typically collected first in the order of draw.
Blood cultures
This is the organization that sets safety standards for handling bloodborne pathogens.
What is OSHA
This color tube contains EDTA and is commonly used for complete blood counts (CBCs).
What is the lavender?
The most common specimen analyzed in the blood bank section is:
ABO, Type and screen and cross and match
This is what blood is typically collected into during a blood culture procedure.
Blood transfer device
Following the CLSI recommended order, place these tubes in the correct sequence after a light blue-top tube: pink, red, gray, lavender, and light green.
What is red, light green, lavender, pink and gray
This type of personal protective equipment must always be worn during blood draws.
What is gloves?
This additive in the light blue-top tube helps prevent clotting by binding calcium.
What is sodium citrate?
The two major areas of the clinical laboratory are:
Anatomical and clinical
What antiseptic is most commonly used to prepare the skin before collecting a blood culture?
Chlorhexidine
This additive in gray-top tubes preserves glucose for up to 24 hours.
What is sodium fluoride?
This regulation ensures patient confidentiality and governs the protection of health information.
What is HIPAA?
A gray-top tube is used for glucose testing and contains these two additives.
What are sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate?
The most common specimen analyzed in the microbiology section is:
Blood cultures
This antiseptic is most commonly used when collecting a blood alcohol test from a patient suspected of driving under the influence.
What is povidone-iodine
This additive in a royal blue-top tube is used when testing for trace metals like lead or zinc.
What is Royal Blue EDTA?
This must be disposed of in a puncture-resistant, labeled container immediately after use.
What is a sharps container?
This additive in the light green-top tube inhibits thrombin formation and is preferred for plasma chemistry tests.
What is Lithium heparin?
The phlebotomist was called to pick up COVID-19 swabs from the Med-Surg unit. Which department is most commonly responsible for analyzing these swabs?
Microbiology
This is the small, beveled device commonly attached to a hub or syringe to draw blood from small or fragile veins.
What is a Butterfly needle
This additive in a royal blue-top tube is used when testing for trace elements like heavy metals.
Royal Blue (Red stripe)
If a needle stick injury occurs, the first two things a phlebotomist should do are these.
What are wash the area and report the incident to a supervisor?
The ER physician has ordered a STAT ammonia test. This is the required tube color and additive for collection, and this is how it should be sent to the lab.
What is a dark green-top tube with sodium heparin, and it must be placed on ice and sent to the lab immediately?