Phlebotomy Certification Exam Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is Capillary Puncture?

3rd or 4th finger for adults, heel stick for infants; lancet cut across ridges; hold the tube horizontal when filling. Don't squeeze finger too tightly or milk the finger. Wipe off 1st drop.

What can happen if the vein collapses during a blood draw?

If you pull on the plunger of the syringe too hard or too quickly during a draw, or use too strong of a vacuum for the vein.

What is an anticoagulant?

An agent used to prevent blood clotting and to keep the specimen whole blood.

What is the purpose of a red top tube?

No additive; clot forms; serum used for chemistries, electrolytes, thyroids, hormone, liver, kidney, lipid studies. Signup and view all the answers

What is a tiger top tube also known as?

Red/Gray top. Signup and view all the answers

What is the additive in a lavender top tube?

EDTA additive. Signup and view all the answers

What substance is found in a grey top tube?

Sodium Fluoride/Potassium oxalate. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do with the first drop of blood during a capillary draw?

Wipe it away. Signup and view all the answers

What veins are in the antecubital area?

Basilic, cephalic, and median veins. Signup and view all the answers

What is hemoconcentration?

The increase of the cellular/solid elements in direct ratio to plasma. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a tourniquet in phlebotomy?

To restrict blood flow to distend veins for phlebotomy. Signup and view all the answers

What should a medical assistant do if a patient feels dizzy during a blood draw?

Immediately remove the tourniquet and needle, stop the patient from falling, lower their head and arms, and put something cold on the back of their neck. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done after successfully drawing blood?

Label the tube, bandage the patient, document the draw. Signup and view all the answers

What tests are included in a Complete Blood Count?

WBC, RBC, Hct, Hemoglobin (Hb), RBC indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC), blood smears, WBC Differential, platelet count. Signup and view all the answers

What are Prothrombin time (PT) and Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) tests used for?

Coagulation studies. Signup and view all the answers

What is measured in lipid studies?

Cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL. Signup and view all the answers

What does a chemistry panel measure?

Sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2, glucose, BUN, creatinine, calcium, protein, albumin, globulin, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, AST, ALT. Signup and view all the answers

What hormones are included in a thyroid panel?

TSH, T4. Signup and view all the answers

What tests are included in MI studies?

CPK, Tropin, Myo tests. Signup and view all the answers

What is contained in spun uncoagulated blood?

Plasma on top, 'Buffy coat' white blood cells and platelets in the middle, red blood cells on the bottom. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between spun clotted blood and spun uncoagulated blood?

Spun clotted blood has serum on top and a clot. Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Phlebotomy Techniques

Capillary puncture is performed on the 3rd or 4th finger for adults and heel sticks for infants; wipe away the first drop to avoid contamination.
Tourniquet should be placed 3-4 inches above the puncture site for no longer than 1 minute to prevent hemoconcentration.

Vein Anatomy

Three main veins in the antecubital area: basilic, cephalic, and median.

Blood Components

Erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes represent the solid elements in blood, while plasma is the liquid portion containing clotting factors.
Serum is the liquid portion of clotted blood, devoid of clotting factors.

Blood Collection Tubes

Red top: No additive; used for serum studies including chemistries and hormones.
Tiger top (Red/Gray): Contains clot activator; used for serum studies.
Lavender top: Contains EDTA; for whole blood tests such as CBC and blood banking.
Gold top: Clot activator; used for serum studies.
Grey top: Contains sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate for glucose and alcohol testing.
Light blue top: Contains sodium citrate; used for coagulation studies (PT, PTT) and must be filled to the proper level.

Common Procedures and Precautions

Avoid squeezing the finger tightly during a draw to prevent vein collapse.
Hemoconcentration can occur from prolonged tourniquet application or fist pumping.
Properly label tubes and document the draw after collection.

Patient Care

If the patient feels dizzy during a blood draw, immediately remove the tourniquet and needle, support the patient, and apply a cold compress to the neck.

Blood Tests

Complete Blood Count (CBC) includes WBC, RBC, Hct, Hemoglobin, and platelet count.
Coagulation studies include Prothrombin time (PT) and Partial thromboplastin time (PTT).
Lipid studies measure cholesterol and triglycerides levels.
Chemistry panels assess various electrolytes and metabolic functions.

Types of Blood Samples

Spun uncoagulated blood has plasma on top, buffy coat in the middle, and red blood cells at the bottom.
Spun clotted blood has serum on top and a clot at the bottom.