52 Questions
When collecting blood culture samples with a butterfly, which sample is aerobic and which is anaerobic?
The first sample is aerobic, the second is anaerobic
What is the purpose of a blood culture?
To detect the presence of microorganisms in the blood
What issue can arise from arthritis in geriatric patients?
Difficulty straightening arm or fingers
What is a common risk factor for geriatric patients on anticoagulant therapy?
Increased risk of hematoma
What is therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) used for?
To adjust drug dosing
Why are aminoglycoside antibiotics like gentamicin and tobramycin carefully monitored?
Because they have short half-lives
When is the peak level usually collected in therapeutic drug monitoring?
30 minutes after the dose is administered
What does the requisition specify in therapeutic drug monitoring?
The actual collection time
Why is it important to maintain constant therapeutic plasma drug levels?
To prevent toxicity and maintain effectiveness
Why do patients differ greatly in how they metabolize medications?
Because of differences in metabolism rate
What is the recommended technique to locate veins for venipuncture in geriatric patients?
Gently massage the area to warm it up
Why is the antecubital fossa not always the best site for venipuncture?
It has more fragile veins in geriatric patients
What should be done after locating the appropriate vein for venipuncture?
Ensure the area is sufficiently cleaned
Why is it advised to use a smaller needle or butterfly in geriatric patients?
To cause less pain
What should be done after completing a venipuncture in geriatric patients?
Apply pressure longer to ensure bleeding has stopped
Why do patients with certain conditions require regular blood testing over an extended period?
To keep track of their health status
What can happen to commonly used sites for blood draws in patients needing regular blood testing over extended periods?
Veins become hardened and difficult to penetrate
Why might the skin of patients requiring frequent blood draws become delicate and easily torn?
Because of trauma from frequent needle puncture
What is the correct order of collecting blood culture samples with a butterfly?
Aerobic first, then anaerobic
Why should you add a short blood sample to the aerobic bottle?
Because most significant pathogens are aerobes
How should you prepare the site for obtaining a valid blood culture specimen?
Scrub vigorously with alcohol in a circular motion
What should be done after cleaning the site for a blood culture?
Allow the site to dry for 1 minute
Why should you avoid touching the site after it has been cleaned?
To prevent contamination from skin bacteria
Why is it recommended to use a butterfly for blood sample collection?
To reduce clotting risk
What is the purpose of culturing the blood specimen onto appropriate media?
To identify pathogens present
Why is the peak level in therapeutic drug monitoring typically drawn a few hours after administering the drug?
To calculate how much drug was actually absorbed
What is the primary reason for promptly obtaining therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) results?
To determine the timing and dosage of the drug
What is the role of insulin in controlling glucose levels in patients with dysfunctional glucose metabolism?
It helps glucose enter cells
Why are most therapeutic drug monitoring samples collected in a red top tube?
To prevent interference from gel in serum separator tubes
What happens when cells do not respond to insulin in patients with dysfunctional glucose metabolism?
Diabetes may occur
Why is careful attention to timing and labeling important in therapeutic drug monitoring?
To ensure accurate dosage determination
What is the key determinant of when the peak level occurs after administering a drug?
Characteristics of the drug
Why is timely collection of TDM results crucial for pharmacy decisions?
To adjust drug timing and dosages
Why do veins become harder to anchor in geriatric patients?
Due to a reduction in elasticity
What may lead to the narrowing of vessels in geriatric patients?
Atherosclerosis
Why do arteries tend to be closer to the surface in geriatric patients?
Loss of muscle tissue
What effect does visual impairment have on geriatric patients during blood draws?
Impairs compliance with requests
Why is it important not to mistake an artery near the surface for a vein in geriatric patients?
Arteries can be pulsing
How should healthcare professionals begin speaking with geriatric patients during encounters?
Speaking slowly and deliberately
What issue may arise if the skin is not held taut during venipuncture in geriatric patients?
Veins moving from their locations
How does the thickness of the skin impact the visibility of veins in geriatric patients?
Thinner skin makes veins less visible
What is the recommended way to prepare the arm before finding a vein for venipuncture?
Massage the area gently for several minutes
Why may a smaller needle or butterfly be recommended for geriatric patients during venipuncture?
To avoid rolling of fragile veins
What should you avoid doing when trying to locate a vein for venipuncture?
Probing the skin
Why may patients requiring extended blood draws experience difficulty with commonly used sites?
Because of frequent needle punctures causing damage
What can happen if a patient's skin from frequent needle punctures becomes delicate and easily torn?
The patient may develop scars
Why is it important to apply pressure longer after completing a venipuncture in geriatric patients?
To stop excessive bleeding
What is a risk associated with hardening of veins in patients needing regular blood draws over extended periods?
Veins becoming difficult to penetrate with needles
Why should you not "slap" the arm to find a vein for venipuncture?
To prevent unnecessary discomfort to the patient
What is septicemia?
A lifethreatening infection caused by rapid multiplication of pathogens in the bloodstream
Why is it necessary to collect a blood culture before administering antimicrobial therapy?
To decrease false negatives due to low organism numbers
What is the meaning of bacteremia?
The presence of bacteria in the blood
Test your knowledge on peak levels and serum concentrations of drugs. Learn about the importance of correct timing for drawing peak levels and accurate labeling in therapeutic drug monitoring.
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