Blood
What is one of the main blood components?
Plasma, white cells, red cells, platelets
What is the most common patient preparation instruction?
Fasting
What veins should be avoided?
Veins that are highly visible but do not have bounce to them.
In what motion do you wipe the venipuncture site?
upward-and-downward motion with friction.
Why should an MA properly handle blood specimens?
To preserve the viability of the sample
What are the four types of blood specimens?
Serum, plasma, whole blood, and clotted blood
What should a medical assistant do when a patient is showing obvious signs of distress?
Stop the procedure
How do you begin the site selection?
The patient should extend an arm out and straighten the elbow.
When do you perform capillary punctures?
When only a small amount of blood is needed or when immediate results can be acquired.
What should be worn when transferring blood into multiple test tubes?
Face and eye protection
Which component of blood is responsible for preventing excessive blood loss when a vessel is damaged?
Platelets
What are the three types of needle standard systems?
Evacuated system, winged infusion/ butterfly system, and needle syringe system
Leaving the tourniquet on longer than 1 min can cause what?
hemoconcentration
Who is the capillary puncture recommended for?
Infants and young children
The process of blood collection tubes being rotated at a high rate of speed is called-
Centrifugation
How do you identify a vacuum stopper tube?
By the color of the top of the tube, which also indicates any additive within the tube.
Name at most two parts of information that need to be included on the laboratory requisition form.
Ordering the provider's name and contact information, test and test code, diagnosis code that correlates with tests being ordered, special specimen requirements, patient demographics, and insurance or other billing information.
What conditions can affect or restrict the site selection of a patient?
Fistulas, ports, or mastectomy
How should you insert the needle for a venipuncture?
Insert the needle smoothly and quickly at about a 15- to 30-degree angle.
How should an MA transfer serum from one tube to another?
By using a single-use pipette, holding the test tube rack upright, and labeling the tubes correctly.
What is the laboratory use of the vacuum tube with a color light blue? What is the number of inversions?
Coagulation testing for laboratory use; number of inversions is 3 to 4.
Which needle system is not considered ideal, and why?
Needle syringe system, because only a small amount of blood can be obtained by this method.
What is the preferred vein within the antecubital space to begin the procedure on, and why?
The median cubital vein is preferred because the area tends to cause less pain and is least likely to roll during the procedure.
Why is the capillary procedure known as the "fingerstick"? Which group of patients has the capillary procedure done elsewhere and where?
The procedure normally takes place in the middle or ring finger of the nondominant hand; Infants have the procedure done on the underside of the heel
What should be done when lab results are received at the clinic?
Laboratory results should be forwarded to the ordering provider for review.