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What is the standard method for preparing peripheral blood smears?
What type of blood is used to prepare peripheral blood smears?
Why is it essential to use strict antiseptic techniques when collecting blood cultures?
What is the purpose of calculating volume requirements in phlebotomy?
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What type of specimens can phlebotomists collect in addition to blood?
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Why is it essential to use a microscope to examine blood smears?
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What is the term for the puncture of the heel to collect blood for inborn errors of metabolism?
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What is the purpose of blood banks in phlebotomy?
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What is the recommended angle to hold the spreader slide while preparing a blood smear?
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What should you do after placing the edge of the spreader slide on the smear slide in front of the blood drop?
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What is the term for a thin film of blood spread onto a microscopic glass slide?
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What should be avoided when allowing the smear to air dry?
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What is the term for anemia caused by frequent blood draws?
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What is the purpose of the frosted end of the microscopic glass slide?
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What is the characteristic of a properly made blood smear?
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What should you do with the applicator stick or capillary tube after applying the blood to the slide?
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Why is it important to ensure the frosted side of the microscopic glass slide is facing up?
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What is the purpose of the spreader slide in preparing a blood smear?
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What should you check before proceeding with the staining process?
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What is the characteristic of a well-prepared blood smear at the opposite end of the drop?
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What is the main advantage of using an automated slide-maker?
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What is the primary purpose of preparing a blood smear?
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How soon must a smear be prepared if it is needed to confirm abnormal findings?
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What is the primary function of the wedge method?
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What should be done with the first drop of blood obtained from a dermal puncture?
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What is the purpose of washing hands and donning gloves before preparing a blood smear?
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What is the benefit of using an applicator stick or capillary tube to place the drop of blood on the slide?
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Why is it important to use a safety device when accessing blood from a specimen tube?
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What is the primary difference between manual and automated smear preparation?
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What is the purpose of checking the specimen tube for proper labeling?
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The wedge method is used to prepare blood smears in an automated slide-maker.
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Automated slide-makers produce thicker smears than manual preparation.
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The first drop of blood obtained from a dermal puncture is used to prepare the blood smear.
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Blood smears must be prepared within 2 hours of collection when the specimen is obtained in an EDTA tube.
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Laboratory personnel always prepare blood smears manually.
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The blood smear should be stained immediately after preparation.
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The spreader slide should be held at a 90° angle while preparing a blood smear.
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A blood smear should be prepared on the frosted end of the microscopic glass slide.
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A well-prepared blood smear should have a thick, uniform layer of blood throughout the slide.
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The applicator stick or capillary tube should be reused after applying the blood to the slide.
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Blood smears are only prepared from venous blood.
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Phlebotomists are only responsible for collecting blood specimens.
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Blood smears are not used to microscopically examine blood.
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Blood banks are not involved in collecting blood for donation.
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It is not necessary to use strict antiseptic techniques when collecting blood cultures.
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Study Notes
Special Collections
- Address a variety of patient needs and conditions
- Include peripheral blood smears, blood cultures, blood bank collections, and non-blood specimen collections
Peripheral Blood Smears
- Used to microscopically examine blood components
- Prepared using the wedge smear (push slide) technique
- Blood can come from venous blood in a tube or capillary blood collected by capillary puncture
- Steps to prepare a blood smear:
- Apply a drop of blood onto a microscopic glass slide
- Use a spreader slide to spread the blood drop into a thin film
- Label the slide with patient information
- Allow the smear to air dry before staining
- Characteristics of a well-made blood smear:
- Thickness decreases from the drop to the edges
- Critical area for performing differential is present
- Tail has a feathered edge that is slightly rounded
- No irregularities, streaks, or holes
Blood Smear Preparation
- Can be prepared manually or using an automated slide-maker
- Automated slide-makers produce consistent, high-quality smears
- Manual preparation involves assembling equipment, performing a dermal puncture, and applying the blood drop to the slide
- Importance of proper labeling and double-checking patient information
Other Special Collections
- Blood cultures: require strict antiseptic techniques to prevent contamination
- Blood banks: collect blood for donation
- Non-blood specimens: include urine, saliva, sputum, fecal matter, and semen
- Phlebotomists may assist with calculating volume requirements to avoid iatrogenic anemia
Blood Smears
- Blood smears can be prepared by applying blood directly from a finger onto a slide.
- Proper preparation of blood smears is essential for accurate diagnoses, and they must be prepared within 1 hour of collection when the specimen is obtained in an EDTA tube.
- The wedge method is used to prepare blood smears, involving the touching of two slides at an angle to form a wedge shape.
- Automated slide-makers can also be used to produce consistent, high-quality smears that stain well.
- Manual slide smears require a series of steps, including:
- Washing hands and donning gloves
- Assembling equipment and obtaining a tube of uncoagulated blood
- Applying a drop of blood onto the slide
- Using a spreader slide to spread the blood
- Labeling the slide with patient information
- Allowing the smear to air dry before staining
Special Collections
- Special collections involve addressing a variety of patient needs and conditions, including peripheral blood smears, blood cultures, and nonblood specimens.
- Peripheral blood smears are used to examine blood components, and the standard method for preparing them is the wedge smear technique.
- Blood cultures require strict antiseptic techniques to prevent contamination.
- Infants require special blood collection procedures, such as skin puncture, for inborn errors of metabolism.
- Blood banks collect blood for donation, and phlebotomists must calculate the effect of frequent venipunctures to avoid iatrogenic anemia.
- Nonblood specimens, such as urine, saliva, and sputum, are also collected by phlebotomists.
- Objectives of special collections include preparing peripheral blood smears, performing blood culture collections, assisting with specimen collection, and collecting blood samples for inborn errors of metabolism.
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Description
This quiz covers the preparation and examination of blood samples, including peripheral blood smears and blood cultures, with a focus on proper techniques to prevent contamination.
