Hematology Laboratory Safety Quiz

Hematology Laboratory Review Questions

• National Patient Safety Goals include the use of patient identifiers, proper collection tubes, proper disinfection of laboratory countertops, and proper donning of latex gloves.
• The primary purpose of a laboratory safety manual is to protect patients and laboratory personnel, and comply with local, state, and OSHA regulations.
• If a blood specimen is spilled, immediately wear gloves and a lab coat, absorb the blood with disposable towels, clean with a 1% chlorine solution, and then wash with water.
• The likelihood of infection after exposure to HBV or HIV depends least on the presence of nonintact skin, and most on the concentration of the virus in the blood and duration of contact.

Standard Precautions

• Standard precautions prevent healthcare workers from exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including HIV and HBV.
• Exposure to blood and body fluids is the major cause of HIV and HBV infection in healthcare personnel.
• A 1:10 dilution of bleach is needed for disinfecting work surfaces.

Quality Assessment

• The most frequent error in laboratory specimen handling is preanalytical error.
• The delta check detects discrepancies between current and past patient results.
• Preanalytical errors include wrong assays, failure to run normal controls during testing, and incorrect specimen labeling.

Quality Control

• Control specimens are known values similar to patient specimens, used to monitor accuracy.

Accuracy and Precision

• Accuracy refers to closeness to the true value.
• Precision refers to how close test results are when repeated.
• Calibration means comparing to a known physical constant.

Standard Deviation

• Standard deviation expresses the degree to which test data vary about the average.
• Variance is the sum of the squared differences from the mean.

Minimum Number of Patient Samples

• When validating a control reference range, 100 patient samples are needed .
• Acceptable control values fall within ±3 standard deviations of the mean.

Trends in QC Data

• Progressive changes occur in one direction from the mean for at least three days.
• Scattered changes occur in various directions away from the mean over at least one week.

Hematology Lab Safety

• Safe use of evacuated tubes and correct handling of blood samples.
• Using correct evacuated tubes and their associated color coded stoppers for different anticoagulants.
• Correct handling of blood and body fluids in the laboratory.

Venipuncture Procedures (Sequence)

• Select a site and properly prep the site.
• Identify the patient, check test requisitions, and assemble equipment.
• Put on gloves after washing hands.
• Reapply the tourniquet and perform the venipuncture.
• Remove tourniquet, withdraw needle, apply pressure, and label tubes correctly.
• Introduce self to patient and briefly explain procedure.

Appropriate Veins for Venipuncture

• Cephalic, basilic, and median cubital veins.

Blood Samples: Special Considerations

• Appropriate procedures when taking blood from a patient with IVs in their arms.
• Safety around IV lines and proper procedure should be followed at all times; do not disconnect an IV line without proper authorization.

Blood Smears

• Wiping away excess blood and introducing proper quality blood into the column of blood.

Hematology Instruments / Procedures

• Using appropriate color-coded evacuated tubes based on the anticoagulant used.

Additional Hematology Information

• Identifying appropriate sites and types of veins for venipuncture.
• Proper handling, labeling, and storage of blood samples.
• Appropriate use of anticoagulants, like heparin and EDTA.

Test your knowledge on hematology laboratory safety practices and national patient safety goals. This quiz covers essential procedures to protect both patients and laboratory personnel while ensuring compliance with regulations. Prepare to identify standards for handling bloodborne pathogens effectively.