Blood Specimen Collection Guidelines

Specific sequence for drawing blood samples to avoid contamination between different specimens and potential additive carryover.

The recommended sequence for collecting blood samples to reduce contamination and ensure accurate test results.

Contamination of a blood sample with substances from a previous tube, leading to inaccurate lab results.

Tube specifically designed to grow microorganisms from a blood sample.

Tube containing anticoagulant citrate to prevent blood clotting during testing.

Tube used to obtain serum (the liquid part of the blood after clotting). No anticoagulant.

Tube using heparin as an anticoagulant, appropriate for testing where clotting is a problem.

Tube containing EDTA, an anticoagulant preserving cellular components like for blood counts efficiently.

Tube containing fluoride preservative, important for tests that require glucose measurements to be precise and reliable.

Tube with gray color containing specific anticoagulant used for glucose measurements.

Mixing the blood sample with the anticoagulant in the tube by inverting.

The standardized procedure of labeling blood tubes including patient data (name, ID), date/time, and collector's initials.

A laboratory result showing a higher-than-actual red blood cell count due to factors like high white blood cell count, large platelets, or blood clotting issues.

A lab result showing a lower-than-actual red blood cell count due to conditions like abnormal blood proteins or blood breakdown.

An inflated Mean Cell Volume (MCV) blood test result, potentially due to conditions like blood clumping or high white blood cell counts.

Indicates an abnormally low Mean Cell Volume (MCV) lab result potentially caused by conditions that shrink the size of red blood cells.

An inflated Mean Cell Hemoglobin (MCH) test result likely due to abnormal amounts of lipids, or high white blood cell counts.

A measurement of Mean Cell Hemoglobin (MCH) being lower than expected, potentially due to conditions like blood breakdown or clotting.

Lab result indicating a higher-than-actual Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) potentially due to blood breakdown or clotting.

Lab result showing a lower-than-normal Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), potentially caused by various conditions.

A hematocrit result lower than actual, possibly due to blood breakdown, improper tube sealing, or extra anticoagulant.

A hematocrit test that appears higher than the actual value, potentially caused by dehydration or improper equipment use.

Hemoglobin test result higher than the actual value, due to factors like large platelets, high white blood cells, or specific protein types.

Hemoglobin test result lower than the actual value, possibly caused by blood clotting problems or cell breakdown during testing.

White blood cell count appears higher than the actual count, potentially because of abnormal blood components and types.

White blood cell count appears lower than the actual count, maybe due to leukemia (especially during chemotherapy), or specific blood conditions.

Platelet count appears higher than the actual value, potentially due to issues with certain blood cells or clotting problems.

Platelet count appears lower than the actual value, possible due to clotting problems, or blood cell clumps.

Neutrophil count seems higher than actual, possibly due to neutrophil aggregation or them appearing as other cell types

Lymphocyte count is inaccurate, appearing higher than actual, potentially due to various cell types

Blood test results that require immediate communication to the physician or healthcare worker.

A hematocrit level of 50,000/uL in a new patient.

A platelet count below 20,000/uL, or if significantly higher than 1 million/uL and not reported before.

A prothrombin time above 40 seconds.

Blood smear using EDTA to prevent platelet clumping, allowing for multiple smears and preparation later.

A falsely low platelet count due to platelet satellitosis (platelets sticking to white blood cells).

Platelets sticking to white blood cells, leading to a falsely low platelet count.

Recollect a new sample using 3.2% citrate, retest, compute corrected platelet count by multiplying by 1.1.

Platelets clump together due to interactions with EDTA, sometimes making them appear as WBCs.

A falsely low platelet count caused by platelet clumping due to EDTA's effect.

Aggregation of platelets caused by certain anticoagulants, specifically EDTA.

Correcting a falsely low platelet count by collecting a new sample using 3.2% sodium citrate and correcting the counts

A common method for making blood smears by precisely angling two slides to create a thin, uniform smear for microscopy.

The appropriate angle (30-45 degrees) between slides when creating blood films.

Anticoagulant used to collect blood samples where platelet clumping is a concern, it's used to avoid pseudothrombocytopenia.

Procedure used to create a thin, uniform blood smear for microscopic analysis, essential for identifying blood cells.