MedCa Phlebotomy Certification Exam Overview

MedCa Phlebotomy Certification Exam Overview

• Includes quiz-style questions for review and study purposes.

Pathology

• Department focused on the study of diseases.

Blood Volume

• Average adult has approximately 5 liters of blood.
• Blood composition: 55% plasma and 45% formed elements.

Erythrocytes

• Also known as red blood cells (RBC).
• Function: Transport oxygen from lungs to tissues and carry carbon dioxide back to lungs.

Leukocytes

• Known as white blood cells (WBC).
• Function: Combat infections and remove disintegrated tissues, lacking a nucleus.

Platelets

• Referred to as thrombocytes.
• Key role in the coagulation process, they are the smallest formed elements in blood.

Lifespan of RBCs

• Mature red blood cells live for approximately 120 days.

Hemoglobin

• Iron-containing pigment in RBCs responsible for oxygen and carbon dioxide transport.

Role of a Phlebotomist

• Focuses on pre-analytical processes in laboratory settings.

Neonatology Blood Collection

• Involves blood collection from newborns, typically hours to several days old.

Blood Collection Timing

• Pharmacy department is consulted for optimal blood collection timing and drug levels.

Blood Cell Production

• RBCs produced in the bone marrow, while WBCs are formed in both bone marrow and lymphatic system.

Quality Improvement

• Flowcharts utilized for enhancing quality improvement in specimen collection processes.

Hematomas in Specimen Collection

• Quality improvement efforts do not typically involve the frequency of hematomas.

Pareto Charts

• Charting method that displays the frequency of problems encountered.

Anemia

• Defined as an abnormal reduction in the number of circulating RBCs.

Transfusion Reactions

• Preventative measures include blood typing and cross-matching, involving ABO and Rh blood group systems.

Blood Composition

• Formed elements constitute 45% of blood, while plasma makes up 55%.

Serum

• Clear, pale-yellow fluid obtained from clotted blood after centrifugation, lacks fibrinogen but resembles plasma.

Centrifuge

• Equipment used to separate serum from clotted blood specimens.

Supine Position

• Lying on the back with the face up, commonly used in medical settings.

RFID Technology

• Stands for Radio Frequency Identification, incorporating silicon chips in wireless systems for identification.

Blood pH Range

• Normal blood pH maintains a steady range of 7.35 to 7.45.

Tubing for Lead Determinations

• Tan topped tube is specifically used for testing lead.

Specimen Transportation Limits

• Separated specimens should be delivered within 2 hours for accurate results.

Blood Donation

• Anticoagulant and preservative (CPD) are used in donor collection bags for blood transfusions.

Acid Citrate Dextrose

• Special use anticoagulant for immunohematology tests, useful in DNA evaluation and transplant compatibility.

Inversions During Blood Collection

• To prevent microclotting, a minimum of 8 inversions is necessary after blood collection.

Patient Safety During Venipuncture

• Donning gloves in front of the patient reassures them of safety protocols.

Specimen Transportation

• The safest method for transporting specimens is a pneumatic tube system (PST).

Tubing for Copper Testing

• Royal blue topped tube required when testing for copper levels and associated diseases.

Avoiding Transcription Errors

• Utilizing computerized labs with barcode systems enhances accuracy in lab processes.

Alternate Venipuncture Sites

• If arm veins are unavailable, consider the dorsal side of the hand or wrist.

Commonly Requested Test

• Glucose testing is one of the most frequently requested laboratory tests.

Blood and Anticoagulant Ratio

• Maintaining the correct blood-to-additive ratio is crucial to avoiding artificially extended clotting times.

Blood Culture Specimen Transport

• Blood culture specimens do not require transport on ice.

Fingerstick Procedure

• Important to wipe away the first drop of contaminated blood when performing fingersticks.

Blood Smear Angle

• Blood smears should be performed at a 30-degree angle for optimal results.

Fingerstick Site

• Puncture should be made across the fingerprint lines for effective blood collection.

Medication Levels Testing

• Blood medication levels should typically be evaluated just prior to the next scheduled dose.

Skin Puncture Procedures

• Skin punctures are performed to obtain small quantities of blood, particularly in neonates or anemic patients.

Chromosome Count

• Humans possess a total of 46 chromosomes.