American Allied Health Practice Exam

Questions and Answers

Which of the following body systems protects vital organs and gives body structure?

Skeletal System (correct)

Circulatory System

Nervous System

Muscular System

What position should the bevel of the needle be in before entering a vein?

Facing upward

The correct term for 'decrease in the number of circulating red blood cells' is:

Anemia

The correct term that refers to the destruction of blood cells is:

Hemolysis Signup and view all the answers

The correct term for 'white blood cells' is:

Leukocytes Signup and view all the answers

For blood gas collections, which gauge needles are most often used?

21g Signup and view all the answers

Which specimen requires chilling during transfer to the lab?

Arterial blood gases Signup and view all the answers

Phlebotomy skills would not include?

Handling patient correspondence Signup and view all the answers

What does CBC stand for?

Complete blood count Signup and view all the answers

What is the functional unit of the nervous system?

Neuron Signup and view all the answers

What promotes the breakdown of glycogen back into glucose?

Glucagon Signup and view all the answers

One group of inherited disorders marked by increased bleeding times is known as:

Hemophilia Signup and view all the answers

At what angle should a venipuncture needle puncture the skin?

15 to 30 degrees Signup and view all the answers

Where should blood never be collected from a patient?

AV shunt Signup and view all the answers

What test is used to diagnose whooping cough, croup, and pneumonia mainly in children?

NP culture Signup and view all the answers

The correct term for 'a cell that aids in the blood clotting process' is:

Platelets Signup and view all the answers

The middle and ring fingers are the most common digits used to obtain a dermal puncture in adults.

True Signup and view all the answers

The most common procedure for collecting many types of urine specimens is known as the:

Midstream clean catch Signup and view all the answers

HIPAA is:

Designed to keep personal health information private Signup and view all the answers

Which is not a laboratory test that assesses for muscle disorders?

C&S Signup and view all the answers

Hepatitis involves which organ?

Liver Signup and view all the answers

If you encounter a hazardous chemical that you need more information about, where can you quickly and accurately locate that information?

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Signup and view all the answers

Being free from contamination or germs is referred to as what term?

Asepsis Signup and view all the answers

Implied consent form a patient to draw blood would be obtained by which action?

The patient extends their arm Signup and view all the answers

When collecting a sample to determine blood alcohol levels, what color tube should be used?

Gray Signup and view all the answers

If a sample needs to be diluted, what should be added?

Diluent Signup and view all the answers

Potassium EDTA binds to what element in the blood?

Calcium Signup and view all the answers

A failure to fast when ordered can impact a blood sample in which of the following ways?

Increasing its turbidity Signup and view all the answers

If you notice that the name of a patient is spelled differently on the requisition and a patient's armband, what is the best course of action?

Visit with your manager to verify the information and have it corrected Signup and view all the answers

Anchoring a vein properly requires which of the following actions?

Placing the thumb of your free hand below the vein and stretching the skin Signup and view all the answers

The most common cause of contamination in blood cultures is which of the following?

Improper site preparation Signup and view all the answers

What is another name for a thrombocyte?

Platelet Signup and view all the answers

Inserting a needle at the point of divergence between veins can result in what?

An increased chance of a hematoma Signup and view all the answers

Approximately how many liters of blood is generally found in the adult human body?

5 liters Signup and view all the answers

A failure to allow alcohol to completely dry during site preparation can lead to what?

Hemolysis Signup and view all the answers

The process of maintaining control of a specimen from the point of collection until testing is complete is referred to as what?

Chain of custody Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not required on a correctly completed requisition?

Patient history Signup and view all the answers

Workplace safety in a lab is governed by which agency?

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Signup and view all the answers

What is the proper sequence for putting on PPE?

Gown, Mask, Gloves Signup and view all the answers

When should a sharps container be disposed of?

When it is 3/4 full Signup and view all the answers

The additive 3.2% sodium citrate results in what?

The prevention of clotting by binding calcium Signup and view all the answers

Prior to drawing from a sleeping patient, what should be done?

Gently wake them up, and when they are ready, request they provide verification of their identity. Signup and view all the answers

What type of draw is generally performed for patients in infancy?

Heel stick Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would not be required for a finger stick?

Syringe Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of capillaries?

They are found in every square inch of the human body Signup and view all the answers

What action can prevent bruises from forming due to a blood draw?

Applying firm pressure immediately after and keeping a bandage on for several hours. Signup and view all the answers

Which test order should be given the most priority?

STAT Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a primary method of venipuncture?

Lancet Signup and view all the answers

Why is blood drawn in a specific order?

To avoid cross-contamination of additives Signup and view all the answers

When a sample is rejected for QNS, what is the appropriate response?

Collect another sample with sufficient quantity Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in dealing with a patient that appears nervous?

Assess their cause for concern and provide reassurance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can reduce your risk of infection after being exposed to a bloodborne pathogen such as Hepatitis B or HIV?

Taking a post-exposure prophylaxis Signup and view all the answers

When a patient's vein is small, thin, or fragile, what would be the most appropriate equipment selection?

Syringe Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following needle gauge sizes has the largest bore (opening)?

18 G Signup and view all the answers

How long should a tube be pre-warmed in an incubator prior to collecting a warmed specimen, such as Cold Agglutinins?

30 minutes Signup and view all the answers

Which cleansing agent is typically not used on venipuncture for the collection of blood cultures or blood alcohol specimens?

Isopropyl alcohol Signup and view all the answers

What is an acceptable method of patient identification?

Requesting that the patient provide their name and date of birth Signup and view all the answers

If a patient indicates previous experiences of fainting during venipuncture, what should be done?

You may move them to an area in which they can lie down during the draw. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tests does not require fasting?

Complete blood count (CBC) Signup and view all the answers

What are the smallest veins in the human body?

Venules Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions is standard practice when collecting a blood smear?

Cleaning a slide with isopropyl alcohol and letting it dry Signup and view all the answers

What is the smallest gauge needle used for venipuncture?

23g Signup and view all the answers

Which test is not impacted by fasting?

Blood culture Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a standard vacuum tube size?

20 ml Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common cause of blood culture contamination?

Improper skin preparation Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances should a tube be pre-labeled?

Never Signup and view all the answers

How many unsuccessful attempts at venipuncture are allowed before seeking additional assistance is required?

2 Signup and view all the answers

For elderly patients, in what circumstances would a capillary puncture be performed rather than venipuncture?

The patient has a tendency to form clots Signup and view all the answers

What test requires that it be chilled in ice right after collection?

Arterial gases, ammonia, lactic acid, pyruvate, and ACTH Signup and view all the answers

If one is used, when should the tourniquet be removed?

Prior to withdrawal Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum depth a heel stick should penetrate?

2.0 mm Signup and view all the answers

In what location are nutrients and gases exchanged in the body?

Capillaries Signup and view all the answers

Septicemia can be detected by what type of test?

Blood culture Signup and view all the answers

Which color tube needs to be filled completely?

Blue Signup and view all the answers

What can be done to make drawing easier on a patient with rolling veins?

You can anchor the vein Signup and view all the answers

If an intoxicated person refuses a blood sample to determine the presence of alcohol or drugs at the request of a police officer, what is the best course of action?

Request that the officer get a warrant Signup and view all the answers

When performing quality control checks, tubes should be discarded under which circumstances?

The stopper has small cracks Signup and view all the answers

When should tubes be labeled?

After the draw, but before exiting the patient's room Signup and view all the answers

How long should you observe the site prior to bandaging?

5 seconds Signup and view all the answers

When washing your hands, why is it important to stand back from the sink?

Contamination Signup and view all the answers

Which antiseptic should not be used on pre-term infants or those under 2 months of age?

Chlorhexidine gluconate Signup and view all the answers

When preparing to draw a gentamycin peak and trough, what element should the phlebotomist pay particular attention to?

The timing instructions Signup and view all the answers

What field is unnecessary on an infant's blood sample label?

Infant's first name Signup and view all the answers

Which test requires the collection of both blood and urine at specific intervals?

Glucose tolerance testing Signup and view all the answers

Which test requires the sample to be protected from light?

Bilirubin Signup and view all the answers

For adult patients, what is the maximum length lancet that should be used for a fingerstick?

2.2 mm Signup and view all the answers

If you experience a patient pumping their fists during a blood draw, what can you do?

Politely explain to them that this can elevate ionized calcium and potassium levels and request that they stop Signup and view all the answers

During blood coagulation, what is formed?

A fibrin clot Signup and view all the answers

The veins of patients undergoing chemotherapy are especially challenging for venipuncture due to what characteristics?

They are smaller, less elastic, and sometimes sclerosed Signup and view all the answers

When performing a dermal puncture, where should the puncture be made?

Perpendicular to the fingerprints Signup and view all the answers

Which blood vessels are a single cell in thickness?

Capillaries Signup and view all the answers

To protect blood constituents that are light-sensitive, the phlebotomist should:

Wrap the tube in aluminum foil after collection Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following veins is the most common second choice, after the median cubital vein, when drawing a blood sample?

Cephalic vein Signup and view all the answers

The most common HAI (previously known as nosocomial) laboratory infection is:

Hepatitis Signup and view all the answers

What test is used to diagnose hypoglycemia?

5 hour oral GTT Signup and view all the answers

Timed specimens are most frequently collected to monitor:

Medication levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum amount of time an infant heel warming device should be applied for?

3-5 minutes Signup and view all the answers

What is the functional unit of the kidney known as?

Medulla Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common chemistry test performed by means of POCT?

Glucose Signup and view all the answers

Plasma consists of what percentage of total blood volume?

45 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Body Systems and Terminology

The Skeletal System provides structure and protects vital organs.
Anemia refers to a decrease in circulating red blood cells.
Hemolysis is the destruction of blood cells.
Leukocytes are white blood cells essential for immune response.

Phlebotomy Techniques

Before entering a vein, the needle's bevel should face upward.
A 21g needle is standard for blood gas collections.
Venipuncture should be performed at an angle between 15 to 30 degrees.
Blood should never be collected from an AV shunt.

Patient Safety and Preparation

Asepsis means being free from contamination or germs.
Patients must be properly identified by asking for their name and date of birth.
When dealing with nervous patients, reassure them and identify their concerns.
If a patient has a history of fainting, move them to a lying position during the draw.

Sample Collection Procedures

Arterial blood gases require chilling during transport.
A Midstream clean catch is commonly used for urine samples.
For blood alcohol levels, a gray tube should be used.
The Chain of custody is crucial for specimen control from collection to testing.

Safety Regulations

HIPAA is focused on the privacy of personal health information.
OSHA governs workplace safety in laboratory settings.
Contaminated blood cultures often result from improper site preparation.

Effective Practices

Apply firm pressure after blood draws to prevent bruising.
Tubes should be labeled after the draw, but before leaving the patient's room.
Sharps containers should be disposed of when 3/4 full.

Laboratory Tests and Conditions

The Complete Blood Count (CBC) does not require fasting.
Blood culture contamination is frequently due to inadequate skin preparation.
Conditions like thrombocytopenia can be indicated by the presence of platelets during a sample analysis.

Equipment and Techniques

A heel stick is used for infants; the maximum penetration depth is 2.0 mm.
Capillaries are where nutrient and gas exchange occurs; they are a single cell thick.
Use a syringe for patients with fragile veins.

Additional Important Facts

The most common laboratory infection from HAIs is Hepatitis.
The functional unit of the nervous system is a Neuron.
Plasma constitutes approximately 45% of total blood volume.

Special Tests and Considerations

The 5-hour oral glucose tolerance test (GTT) is utilized to diagnose hypoglycemia.
A Bilirubin test sample must be protected from light.
The most common chemistry test conducted via POCT is Glucose.

Personal Care and Follow-Up

When interacting with a patient, ensure comfort and proper communication.
Assess for potential risks of infection post-exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Always proceed with dignity and respect for the patient's condition during procedures.

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Description

Test your knowledge with this comprehensive practice exam for American Allied Health. These flashcards cover essential topics such as body systems, medical terminology, and procedures. Perfect for students preparing for their health care certifications.