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Questions and Answers
What is a critical value in laboratory testing?
What is a critical value in laboratory testing?
- A test result that is only slightly above or below the expected reference range
- A test result that is only relevant for POC testing
- A test result that is within the expected reference range
- A test result that is significantly above or below the expected reference range (correct)
When should a critical value be reported to the ordering provider?
When should a critical value be reported to the ordering provider?
- Only during regular business hours
- After the patient has been notified
- Promptly and directly (correct)
- Only after the results have been reviewed by a supervisor
What type of laboratory tests are typically performed at the patient's bedside?
What type of laboratory tests are typically performed at the patient's bedside?
- POC tests (correct)
- Laboratory-developed tests
- Waived tests
- Complex profiles
What is the purpose of learning the difference between an elevated or decreased value and a critical value?
What is the purpose of learning the difference between an elevated or decreased value and a critical value?
How can critical values differ between facilities?
How can critical values differ between facilities?
What is the purpose of collecting and preparing specimens for POC and CUA-waived testing?
What is the purpose of collecting and preparing specimens for POC and CUA-waived testing?
What is the expected outcome of a POC test?
What is the expected outcome of a POC test?
What should a healthcare provider do when they receive a critical value?
What should a healthcare provider do when they receive a critical value?
Why is it important to learn the general tests that providers monitor for critical values?
Why is it important to learn the general tests that providers monitor for critical values?
What is the significance of a fasting blood glucose level of 464 mg/dL?
What is the significance of a fasting blood glucose level of 464 mg/dL?
What is the primary component of a complete blood count (CBC) test?
What is the primary component of a complete blood count (CBC) test?
What is the purpose of a rapid antigen detection test?
What is the purpose of a rapid antigen detection test?
What is the significance of a patient's blood glucose level being above the high limit of the reference range?
What is the significance of a patient's blood glucose level being above the high limit of the reference range?
Why is it essential to compare the code on the glucometer with the code on the strips prior to each patient's testing?
Why is it essential to compare the code on the glucometer with the code on the strips prior to each patient's testing?
Who is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the results of point-of-care (POC) tests?
Who is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the results of point-of-care (POC) tests?
What is the purpose of completing quality controls with a control material?
What is the purpose of completing quality controls with a control material?
What is included in a complete metabolic panel (CMP) test?
What is included in a complete metabolic panel (CMP) test?
What is the purpose of reporting results to providers?
What is the purpose of reporting results to providers?
What is the purpose of logging data in the electronic health record (EHR) system?
What is the purpose of logging data in the electronic health record (EHR) system?
Who is responsible for ensuring correct and timely delivery of laboratory test results in reference laboratory facilities?
Who is responsible for ensuring correct and timely delivery of laboratory test results in reference laboratory facilities?
What is the primary reason for requesting a verbal read-back of laboratory results?
What is the primary reason for requesting a verbal read-back of laboratory results?
Which of the following is a benefit of using electronic reports to transmit laboratory results?
Which of the following is a benefit of using electronic reports to transmit laboratory results?
What information should be documented when sharing verbal laboratory results?
What information should be documented when sharing verbal laboratory results?
Which of the following is a way to reduce errors when reporting laboratory results?
Which of the following is a way to reduce errors when reporting laboratory results?
What is the purpose of submitting laboratory results via a secure method of distribution?
What is the purpose of submitting laboratory results via a secure method of distribution?
What is the advantage of using electronic medical records that can link to laboratories?
What is the advantage of using electronic medical records that can link to laboratories?
What should be done with stat and critical laboratory results?
What should be done with stat and critical laboratory results?
What is the main benefit of electronic reports compared to verbal or telephone reports?
What is the main benefit of electronic reports compared to verbal or telephone reports?
What is the purpose of documenting detailed result information when sharing verbal laboratory results?
What is the purpose of documenting detailed result information when sharing verbal laboratory results?
Why is it essential to maintain patients' privacy and confidentiality when reporting laboratory results?
Why is it essential to maintain patients' privacy and confidentiality when reporting laboratory results?
All laboratory tests have a defined critical value.
All laboratory tests have a defined critical value.
A critical value is a test result that is slightly above or below the expected reference range.
A critical value is a test result that is slightly above or below the expected reference range.
Point-of-care (POC) tests are typically performed in a laboratory setting.
Point-of-care (POC) tests are typically performed in a laboratory setting.
A fasting blood glucose level of 464 mg/dL is within the expected reference range.
A fasting blood glucose level of 464 mg/dL is within the expected reference range.
Automated clinical analyzers are used for manual testing of specimens.
Automated clinical analyzers are used for manual testing of specimens.
Sodium is a type of electrolyte that is typically measured in a complete blood count (CBC) test.
Sodium is a type of electrolyte that is typically measured in a complete blood count (CBC) test.
A blood glucose level above the high limit of the reference range is always a critical value.
A blood glucose level above the high limit of the reference range is always a critical value.
A licensed healthcare professional is responsible for collecting and handling specimens for point-of-care (POC) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-waived tests.
A licensed healthcare professional is responsible for collecting and handling specimens for point-of-care (POC) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-waived tests.
Quality controls with a control material are only necessary when opening a new package of test strips.
Quality controls with a control material are only necessary when opening a new package of test strips.
Results of point-of-care (POC) tests can be reviewed and evaluated by healthcare assistants.
Results of point-of-care (POC) tests can be reviewed and evaluated by healthcare assistants.
Written and electronic reports are more prone to error than verbal or telephone reports of laboratory results.
Written and electronic reports are more prone to error than verbal or telephone reports of laboratory results.
Phlebotomists can only upload test results for immediate access by the ordering provider.
Phlebotomists can only upload test results for immediate access by the ordering provider.
It is not necessary to maintain patients' privacy and confidentiality when reporting laboratory results.
It is not necessary to maintain patients' privacy and confidentiality when reporting laboratory results.
Only electronic reports can link to laboratories to receive patients' results automatically.
Only electronic reports can link to laboratories to receive patients' results automatically.
Stat and critical results should be reported in writing only.
Stat and critical results should be reported in writing only.
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Study Notes
Point-of-Care (POC) Testing
- POC tests are laboratory tests performed close to the site of patient care.
- POC testing involves being aware of values that indicate a potentially life-threatening or health-endangering situation.
- A critical value is a test result that is significantly above or below the expected reference range, requiring immediate response.
Critical Values
- Not all laboratory values have a critical level, but each laboratory or facility has a list of tests that require monitoring patients' results for critical values.
- Familiarize yourself with the general tests that providers monitor for critical values and learn the values for your organization.
- Critical values can differ by facility and can change over time.
POC Testing Examples
- Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium)
- Hematology (WBCs, RBCs, Hct, Hgb)
- Glucose, hemoglobin A1c
- Cholesterol (HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides)
- Blood coagulation (PT, international normalized ratio [INR])
Reporting and Distributing Laboratory Results
- Report critical values promptly and directly to the ordering provider.
- Confirm and date-stamp all laboratory results and submit them via a secure method of distribution (verbal, telephone, written, computer reports).
- Stat and critical results should be reported immediately with a telephone call or in person, requesting a verbal read-back of the results to reduce risk of communicating incorrect information.
- Written and electronic reports are less prone to error than verbal or telephone reports of laboratory results.
Point-of-Care (POC) Testing
- POC tests are laboratory tests performed close to the site of patient care.
- POC testing involves being aware of values that indicate a potentially life-threatening or health-endangering situation.
- A critical value is a test result that is significantly above or below the expected reference range, requiring immediate response.
Critical Values
- Not all laboratory values have a critical level, but each laboratory or facility has a list of tests that require monitoring patients' results for critical values.
- Familiarize yourself with the general tests that providers monitor for critical values and learn the values for your organization.
- Critical values can differ by facility and can change over time.
POC Testing Examples
- Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium)
- Hematology (WBCs, RBCs, Hct, Hgb)
- Glucose, hemoglobin A1c
- Cholesterol (HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides)
- Blood coagulation (PT, international normalized ratio [INR])
Reporting and Distributing Laboratory Results
- Report critical values promptly and directly to the ordering provider.
- Confirm and date-stamp all laboratory results and submit them via a secure method of distribution (verbal, telephone, written, computer reports).
- Stat and critical results should be reported immediately with a telephone call or in person, requesting a verbal read-back of the results to reduce risk of communicating incorrect information.
- Written and electronic reports are less prone to error than verbal or telephone reports of laboratory results.
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