Laboratory Samples

Study Notes

Laboratory Samples

Types of laboratory samples: Blood, Non-Blood (Urine, Stool, Swabs, Semen, Sputum, Cytological, Histological)
Phlebotomist should know the importance of common lab tests

Urine Samples

Types of urine samples:
- Random (Drugs of Abuse, Microalbumin)
- First Morning (Pregnancy Tests)
- Mid Stream Urine (MSU) (Urine Cultures)
- Clean Catch Urine (Urine Cultures)
- 24 hr Urine Collections (Protein, Creatinine, Calcium, Uric Acid, Creatinine Clearance)
- Paediatric Urines (Urine collection bags)

Stool Samples

Types of stool samples:
- Stool for Occult Blood (Random)
- Stool for Ova, Cysts and Parasites (Random, Sometimes x3)
- Stool for M/C/S (Stool Cultures)

Swabs

Collected by Physicians, RNs
Purpose: To look for Pathogenic or disease causing microorganisms in a particular body site
Materials Required: Specimen cup, spatula/spoon, Plastic wrap, disposable paper/ Styrofoam tray
Prompt Transport, Room Temperature, Charcoal
Types: Wound, Vaginal, Ulcer, Rectal, Throat

Semen Samples

Not just a sperm count
Collection Criteria:
- Abstinence 4-5 days prior
- No help from partner (vaginal, oral and anal secretions affect test)
- No use of gels, creams or lubricants
- Sample must be kept at RT
- All sample must be collected
- Sample must be brought to lab within 45 mins after collection
A Semen Sample can be satisfactorily brought to the lab within 2 hours

Cytological Samples

Study of Cells (Cyto)
Most Common Cytological Test: PAP SMEAR
Samples collected by Physician
Special Stains used to highlight normal vs abnormal cells
Rejection Criteria: Broken slides, smears not properly preserved

Histological Samples

Study of Tissues (Histo)
Samples: Biopsies, Ectomies or Excisions
Samples preserved using Paraffin wax and cut into ultra-thin slices
Special Stains
Key aspect of handling is prompt preservation (15-20 times Formal Saline)
Rejection Criteria: Samples not properly preserved, or samples preserved late

Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)

Rapidly growing branch of Lab Diagnostics
Easy, Fast results
Done at patients location
Small volume of blood
Important applications in diagnosing conditions such as Heart Attacks, Strokes, Diabetes, Renal Failure, Anemia
APOCT is supposed to provide faster results with the main emphasis being to prevent loss of life or loss of quality of life

Description

This quiz covers different types of laboratory samples, including non-blood and blood samples, and various bodily fluids and materials used for testing and analysis. It includes arterial puncture, veni-puncture, and capillary puncture, as well as urine, stool, and other bodily samples.