Phlebotomy On A Patient Quiz

The respiratory system is primarily involved with breathing. It consists of organs such as the lungs, trachea, and diaphragm, which work together to facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. This system allows us to take in oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of cellular respiration. Without the respiratory system, the body would not be able to obtain the necessary oxygen for its cells to function properly.

If a patient's breathing stops unexpectedly during blood collection, the phlebotomist should stop the collection and call for help. This is the appropriate action to take in an emergency situation where the patient's life is at risk. Continuing the collection until complete could further endanger the patient's health, while shaking the patient vigorously or waiting for a few minutes may not be effective in restarting their breathing. Therefore, stopping the collection and immediately seeking assistance is the safest and most responsible course of action.

After finishing a blood draw, the phlebotomist must document various important details. These include who drew the sample, which helps in maintaining accountability and tracking the person responsible for the procedure. Additionally, documenting the time of draw is crucial for monitoring any time-sensitive factors or medications. Lastly, noting the date of draw is essential for maintaining accurate records and tracking any changes or trends over time. Therefore, all of these answers are correct as they collectively cover the necessary documentation after a blood draw.

During a venipuncture, it is important to remove the tourniquet from the arm within 1 minute. Leaving the tourniquet on for longer periods can lead to venous stasis, which can cause the blood to clot and make it difficult to collect a sample. Additionally, prolonged use of a tourniquet can cause discomfort and potential damage to the veins. Therefore, it is essential to remove the tourniquet within a minute to ensure a successful and safe venipuncture procedure.

The correct answer is "confidential in nature and protected." Communications between physicians and patients are considered privileged, meaning that medical records are kept confidential and protected. This ensures that sensitive information about a patient's health remains private and is not accessible to anyone other than the authorized healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care. This confidentiality is important for maintaining trust and privacy in the physician-patient relationship.

The step that was omitted in this situation is reporting the incident to the supervisor. After the needlestick accident, it is important for the phlebotomist to inform their supervisor about the incident. This is necessary for several reasons, including ensuring that appropriate medical attention is provided, documenting the incident for legal and insurance purposes, and implementing preventive measures to avoid similar accidents in the future.

When preparing a blood smear directly from a skin puncture, it is best to wipe away the first drop of blood and then make the slide. This is because the first drop of blood may contain tissue fluid or contaminants from the puncture site, which can interfere with the accuracy of the blood smear. By wiping away the first drop, a cleaner and more representative sample of the blood can be obtained for the slide preparation.

Gloves are the best form of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect healthcare workers from contagion when touching body substances, mucous membranes, or skin wounds. Gloves act as a barrier between the healthcare worker's hands and the potentially infectious substances. They prevent direct contact and minimize the risk of transmission. Masks, alcohol, and respirators are not specifically designed to protect against direct contact with body substances or wounds, making gloves the most suitable option for this purpose.

Phlebotomists should examine anticoagulated collection tubes for expiration dates as a measure of ongoing quality control. This is important because using expired tubes can lead to inaccurate test results. It ensures that the tubes are still within their recommended shelf life and can reliably preserve the blood sample for analysis. By checking expiration dates, phlebotomists can maintain the integrity of the samples and ensure the accuracy of the tests being performed.

The phlebotomist should remove the tourniquet and handle the situation as a possible latex reaction. This is because the immediate formation of red skin blotches upon tying the tourniquet suggests a potential allergic reaction to latex. It is important to address this issue promptly to ensure the safety and well-being of the patient.

In performing phlebotomy on a patient with severe burns, it is important to look for a venipuncture site in undamaged, unscarred skin. This is because scarred tissue may be more difficult to puncture and may not yield an adequate blood sample. Additionally, scarred tissue may have reduced blood flow, which can further complicate the procedure. Therefore, selecting a venipuncture location in undamaged skin ensures a higher chance of success and minimizes potential complications.

The right to know law requires that all chemical manufacturers supply material safety data sheets (MSDS) to those who use their products. MSDS provide important information about the potential hazards of the chemicals, including their physical and chemical properties, health effects, precautions for safe handling, and emergency response procedures. This ensures that individuals who are exposed to these chemicals have access to the necessary information to protect themselves and take appropriate safety measures.

The correct answer is "all answers are correct." Health care workers can demonstrate an awareness of safety in hospital corridors by turning corners carefully to avoid collisions, quickly reporting items that require clean up, and granting right of way to patients and emergencies. All of these actions contribute to maintaining a safe environment in hospital corridors.

The correct answer is isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol is commonly used to cleanse the draw site before a routine venipuncture. It is an effective antiseptic that helps to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms on the skin, reducing the risk of infection during the procedure.

Upon completion of the blood collection, the phlebotomist should return the rail to the position prior to the draw. This is important for the safety and well-being of the child. By returning the rail to its original position, it ensures that the child's bed is secure and prevents any potential accidents or falls. It is the responsibility of the phlebotomist to prioritize the safety and comfort of the patient.

Blood culture draws require sample collection in anaerobic and aerobic media tubes/bottles. This is because these tubes/bottles provide the appropriate environment for the growth of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, allowing for the detection of a wide range of potential pathogens. Anaerobic media supports the growth of bacteria that thrive in the absence of oxygen, while aerobic media supports the growth of bacteria that require oxygen. By using both types of media, healthcare professionals can increase the chances of identifying the causative agent of an infection accurately.

The question asks for the characteristic that is NOT required for containers used to dispose of sharps. The other three characteristics, spill proof, tamper proof, and puncture resistance, are necessary to ensure the safe disposal of sharps. However, mold resistance is not directly related to the safe disposal of sharps and therefore is not required for these containers.

Tying tourniquets over clothing can increase patient comfort when performing venipuncture on patients with very frail skin or excessive arm hair because it allows for a more secure and stable application of the tourniquet. This can help to prevent the tourniquet from slipping or causing discomfort to the patient during the procedure. Additionally, tying the tourniquet over clothing can also help to protect the patient's skin from any potential irritation or damage that may occur from direct contact with the tourniquet.

The correct answer is radial. The radial artery is commonly used for blood gas collection because it is easily accessible and close to the surface of the skin in the wrist. It provides a reliable sample for measuring blood gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, as well as other important parameters.

Specimen collection areas should be decontaminated regularly with fresh bleach solutions that have been diluted 1:10 with water. This means that for every 1 part of bleach, 10 parts of water should be added. This dilution ratio ensures that the bleach solution is effective in killing any potential contaminants while also minimizing any potential harm or irritation that may be caused by using a stronger concentration of bleach.

The correct answer is "from center to periphery". When performing a venipuncture, the collection site is cleansed in a circular motion that moves from the center to the periphery. This technique helps to remove any dirt or bacteria away from the puncture site, reducing the risk of infection. By starting from the center and moving outward, any potential contaminants are pushed away from the intended puncture area, ensuring a clean and sterile site for the procedure.

A lipid panel is a blood test that measures the levels of different types of fats and cholesterol in the blood. Fasting before the test ensures that the results are accurate and reliable. When a patient fasts, it means they have not eaten or drunk anything (except water) for a certain period of time, usually 9-12 hours. This allows for a more accurate measurement of the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, as eating can temporarily increase these levels. Therefore, a lipid panel provides the most useful information to physicians when it is drawn while a patient is fasting.

In coagulation tests, it is crucial to maintain the correct ratio of blood to anticoagulant in order to obtain accurate results. This is because coagulation tests measure the time it takes for blood to clot, and an incorrect ratio can affect the clotting process. Therefore, tubes used for coagulation tests must have a 9:1 ratio of blood to anticoagulant to ensure that the test is accepted by the lab.

When anticoagulated blood is centrifuged, the components of the blood separate based on their density. Since red blood cells are denser than other components such as white blood cells and plasma, they will settle to the bottom of the tube during centrifugation. Therefore, red blood cells will be spun to the bottom of the tube.

The correct answer is "drinking contaminated water" because parenteral transmission refers to the direct entry of pathogens into the body through non-oral routes, such as injections, needlestick injuries, or broken skin. Infection through a hangnail and eyehand contamination can occur when pathogens enter the body through small cuts or contact with mucous membranes. However, drinking contaminated water involves the oral route of transmission, which is not considered parenteral.

The correct answer is red 4. The National Fire Protection Association labels use color and number codes to indicate the properties of chemicals. In this case, red signifies flammability and 4 indicates that the chemical is easily dispersed in the air and will readily burn.

Closing centrifuge lids will minimize aerosol microbial contamination in a laboratory because it prevents the release of any potentially contaminated aerosols into the surrounding environment. Aerosols can contain microorganisms that can spread and contaminate surfaces, equipment, and other samples in the laboratory. By closing the centrifuge lids, any aerosols generated during the centrifugation process are contained within the centrifuge, reducing the risk of contamination. This practice helps maintain a clean and safe laboratory environment.

When blood is collected and placed in a serum tube, it needs time to clot before centrifugation. If the tube is centrifuged before the blood has had a chance to clot, fibrin strands may be found in the serum. These strands are formed from the fibrinogen in the blood, which normally converts to fibrin during the clotting process. Therefore, centrifuging before clotting can cause the presence of fibrin strands in the serum tubes.

The phlebotomist must remember to keep the tourniquet tied until the last tube is filled. This is incorrect because keeping the tourniquet tied for too long can lead to hemoconcentration, which can alter the blood sample and affect test results. It is important to release the tourniquet after the first tube is filled to prevent this from happening.

Rushing the drying process between cleansings is the most likely to cause contamination during blood culture collection. Proper drying is an essential step to prevent the introduction of microorganisms into the sample. If the drying process is rushed, there may still be moisture present on the site or the tube/bottle tops, which can promote the growth of bacteria or other contaminants. It is important to allow adequate time for the cleansing agents to dry completely before proceeding with the collection to ensure a sterile environment.

Sodium fluoride is commonly used as an additive for collecting an ethanol specimen. It acts as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and preventing the breakdown of ethanol in the specimen. This additive helps to maintain the integrity and stability of the ethanol levels, ensuring accurate and reliable test results. Sodium fluoride is widely used in various clinical and forensic settings for ethanol testing purposes.

A hemoglobin A1C test may be ordered to confirm diabetes mellitus or hypoglycemia. This test measures the average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months, providing a more comprehensive picture of a person's glycemic control. It is commonly used to diagnose and monitor diabetes, as it reflects long-term blood sugar levels rather than just a snapshot. This test is preferred over other options listed because it provides a more accurate assessment of overall glycemic control.

When there is an inadequate amount of blood in the anticoagulated tube, it can lead to the formation of tiny clots. This is because the anticoagulant present in the tube may not be able to effectively prevent clotting when there is not enough blood to dilute it.

If the venipuncture site begins to swell as blood is being drawn from a patient's arm, it is best to release the tourniquet, remove the needle, and apply pressure. This is because the swelling may indicate that the needle has punctured the vein and is causing blood to leak into the surrounding tissue. By releasing the tourniquet and removing the needle, the pressure on the vein is relieved, allowing the swelling to subside. Applying pressure afterwards helps to prevent further bleeding and promote clotting. Additionally, applying pressure above the puncture site and finishing the draw ensures that enough blood is collected for the intended purpose.