Special Collections
Why is sterile technique critical during blood culture collection?
To prevent contamination that may cause false positives.
What does POCT stand for?
Point of Care Testing.
Name one OSHA-required protective item when processing specimens.
Gloves, lab coat, or face shield
How should a urine specimen be labeled?
The primary label is placed on the container (not the lid), with patient ID, date of collection, and time.
What is the main purpose of arterial blood gas (ABG) testing?
To evaluate respiratory function and acid-based balance.
What special identification step is required before collecting blood for transfusion testing?
Patient must provide full name, date of birth, and ID band must match requisition.
Give one example of a common POCT test.
fingerstick glucose (bedside glucose), pregnancy test, or rapid strep.
What is one preanalytical error that can occur during specimen collection
Hemolysis, mislabeling, insufficient sample, wrong container.
Name one example of the nonblood specimen collected for lab testing.
Urine, Sputum, Stool, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), throat swab
What artery is most commonly used for arterial puncture?
Radial artery
Name one reason a physician might order a blood culture.
To detect septicemia or bloodstream infections.
Why is POCT especially valuable in emergency settings?
Provides rapid results that aid immediate treatment decisions.
Give one example of a time-sensitive specimen.
Ammonia, lactic acid, or arterial blood gases
What is the purpose of a clean-catch midstream urine collection?
To minimize contamination from skin flora.
What test must be performed before drawing blood from the radial artery?
Modified Allen test.
What is the primary difference between routine blood collection and therapeutic drug monitoring?
TDM requires specific timing to measure drug peak and trough levels.
What is one potential drawback of POCT compared to central lab testing?
Higher risk of operator error or variability in accuracy.
What must be done to specimens that required cold handling?
Place immediately in an ice slurry or transport on ice
What is the purpose of a glucose tolerance test (GGT)?
To evaluate the body's ability to metabolize glucose and detect diabetes
List one hazard or complication of arterial puncture
Hematoma, arterial spasm, nerve injury, or infection
What type of specimen is typically required for blood bank testing?
Whole blood, usually collected in a pink top tube.
What special equipment might be required for POCT coagulation testing?
Portable coagulation analyzer (INR meter)
List one criterion that would cause specimen rejection.
Miss labeling, wrong tube, clotted sample, insufficient volume
Why must some non-blood specimens (CSF) be delivered immediately to the lab?
They are unstable and can quickly degrade or lose diagnostic value
How do you interpret a positive modified Allen test?
Hand color returns in <10 seconds=adequate collateral circulation.