| Question | Answer |
| What must you do after initially sticking a finger before you can start blood collection? | Wipe away the first drop of blood, which tends to contain excess tissue fluid. |
| The label on the sample must match? | The requisition form |
| In order, what are the first 3 blood collection tubes you would use? | First- (Yellow or Yellow- Black top) For blood cultures.
Second- (Light Blue Top) Coagulation
Third- (Red Top) Non-additive |
| What can happen if the tourniquet is left on for too long? | Hemoconcentration
Increase of protein from tourniquet site down
Can affect packed cell volume
Can cause hemolysis. |
| In regards to proper patient identification in what case(s) would you not proceed with drawing the patients blood? | If patient information does not match id armband.
If patient is missing id armband. |
| On your last draw, what order of additive tubes would you draw? | 1. SST (red-gray or gold top)
2. Sodium heparin (dark green top)
3. PST (light green top)
4. EDTA (lavender top)
5. ACDA or ACDB (pale yellow top)
6.) Oxalate/fluoride (light gray top) |
| What is hemoconcentration? | An increased concentration of larger molecules and formed elements in the blood |
| What supplies is needed to draw blood? | Evacuated Collection Tubes
Appropriate needle
Holder/Adapter
Tourniquet
Alcohol Wipes
Gauze
Bandage
Needle Disposal unit
Gloves |
| Why must blood collection tubes be drawn in a specific order? | To avoid cross-contamination of additives between tubes. |
| What may be obtained if the blood is not thoroughly mixed with the additive? | Erroneous test results |
| Where are the best locations for fingersticks? | The 3rd (middle) and 4th (ring) fingers of the non-dominant hand. |
| What are Evacuated Collection Tubes? | Tubes that are designed to fill with a predetermined volume of blood by vacuum. |
| Describe what you should do after you remove the tourniquet and blood collection tube. | Remove needle in the patient's arm using a swift backwards motion.
Then apply gauze once needle is out of arm
Dispose of all contaminated materials in the appropriate containers.
Then immediately mix and label all appropriate tubes |
| Besides Patient Identification What additional information does a requisition form include? | Requesting Physician's full name
Source of specimen
Date and time of collection
Initials of phlebotomist
Indicated test requests. |
| If blood stops flowing into the tube during collection what can you do? | Resecure the tourniquet to increase venous filling.
If this is not successful, remove the needle, take care of the puncture site, and redraw. |
| Since blood tubes can have different additives or coatings, what must you NEVER do? | Blood should NEVER be poured from one tube to another |
| What areas are to be avoided when choosing a site? | Extensive scars
The upper extremity on the side of a previous mastectomy
Hematoma
Above the IV site
Intravenous lines
Cannula/fistula sites
Edematous extremities |
| When the last tube to be drawn is filling what should you go ahead and do? | Remove the tourniquet. |
| What information needs to be labeled on the sample? | Patients Last name, First and middle
Patients ID number
Date/time of collection
The initials of the phlebotomist who did the collection. |
| What can you do to prevent hemolysis in a blood sample? | Mix tubes with anticoagulant additives
Avoid drawing blood from a hematoa
Making sure venipuncture site is dry
Avoiding a traumatic venipuncture
Avoid prolonged tourniquet application |
| Where does the tourniquet need to be placed and how long can you leave it on? | 3-4 inches above the selected puncture site
No longer than 2 minutes. 1 minute is ideal. |
| What finger locations must you avoid sticking? | The tip of the finger or the center of the finger. |
| What are some universal precautions you can take to protect yourself? | Wear gloves and a lab coat or gown when handling blood/body fluids.
Change gloves after each patient or when contaminated.
Wash hands frequently.
Dispose of items in appropriate containers. |
| What do the various colors of rubber stoppers indicate on collection tubes? | The rubber stoppers are color coded according to the additive that the tube contains. |
| On a requisition form what patient information MUST you verify and record before proceeding? | Patient's Full name
ID number
Date of birth and sex |
