Laboratory Procedures
Identify items that must be included on a specimen container label.
patient identification (name, DOB, or unique identifier), the date and time of collection, the specimen type or anatomic site, and the collector's initials or identification
What is the role of a Medical assistant when it comes to specimen?
obtain, process, and prepare the specimen for transportation. When obtaining and processing a specimen, consider all specimens as potentially infectious. Take precautions to protect yourself, the patient, and others in the environment from exposure to disease-causing micro-organisms.
How should the MA prepare a blood sample for transport to an outside lab?
label it accurately, place it in a leak-proof biohazard bag with the requisition form in the outer pocket, ensure proper temperature (room temp, refrigerated, or frozen), and secure it for prompt transport
How many times should you check your hearing and vision?
every few years
A peak flow rating of 80% or better is considered what?
well-controlled and does not require treatment.
What is MLTs?
Certified medical laboratory technicans
What should the MA collect first of the specimen?
verify the patient's identity
The laboratory courier cannot pick up the patient’s urine sample for another 4 hr. Which of the following methods will ensure specimen preservation?
Storing the urine in the refrigerator
How far should adults stand for the vision test?
20 feet
To obtain accurate results on spirometry, a patient should be advised to do which of the following?
Apply a nose clip.
What is CCMAs?
Certified clinical medical assistants
Why should you always wash your hands before going into another patient's room?
to prevent spreading germs and dangerous, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (like MRSA) from one patient to another
What are some errors you can make in MA?
rolling stops or improper lane changes, or mathematics (Math), involving wrong units, symbols, or calculation mistakes, or even Major Accidents (MA), requiring careful post-incident documentation
How far should children stand for the vision test?
10 feet
What should the MA understand of the Patients when collecting specimen?
medical history
What is MLAs?
Medical laboratory assistants
What should each specimen be put into after being collect?
clear plastic bag with a zip closure and dual pockets
What should the MA have the patient do before collecting?
The patient’s signature on the consent form states, officially, that they are the same person that provided the sealed specimen to send for laboratory analysis.
What can you find in the hearing test?
detecting hearing loss
What tests performed in the medical office that do not fall under point-care testing are?
moderate or high complexity tests
What are MAs are trained to do what?
properly collect specimens that are sent to outside reference laboratories for testing
What should the MA do before collecting toe specimen?
Tell the patient what they are about to do
What should you always follow in the chain of custody?
Always follow the policies and procedures outlined by the facility and adhere to OSHA standards.
Why are hearing tests are useful?
audiometer to measure hearing acuity at different frequencies. Sound amplitude is measured in decibels (dB), and sound frequency is measured in hertz (Hz).
What specimen should be sent to the lab right away?
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), blood for ammonia/lactate, certain blood gases, and samples for Neisseria/Anaerobic cultures, or specific viral studies