Phlebotomy Chapter 1 Flashcards

Key Terms in Phlebotomy

• Aseptic: Condition free of disease-causing microorganisms.
• Capillary: Smallest blood vessels for nutrient and oxygen exchange, connecting arteries and veins.
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Federal agency focused on monitoring and reporting diseases, especially infectious ones.
• Chain of Infection: Six links: reservoir, infectious agent, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host.
• Chemistry: Evaluates constituents in the human body like glucose and sodium.
• CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment): Regulation ensuring uniform standards for all labs, regardless of size or location.
• CLSI: Nonprofit that provides recommendations and standards to enhance laboratory quality.
• Confidentiality: Right to privacy concerning patient information.
• Dermal Puncture: Technique to collect capillary blood via a sharp device.
• Ethics: Principles guiding what is considered right or wrong in professional conduct.

Legal and Regulatory Considerations

• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): Establishes national standards for electronic healthcare transactions and protects patient privacy.
• OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration): Federal agency focused on minimizing employee risks in healthcare settings.

Infection Control Practices

• Isolation Precautions: Strategies to prevent infection spread based on transmission method.
• Standard Precautions: CDC guidelines to reduce exposure to potentially infectious materials in healthcare environments.

Essential Phlebotomy Practices

• Hand Hygiene: Critical steps for washing hands and using alcohol-based cleaners to prevent infection in phlebotomy.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gear like gloves and masks worn to minimize exposure to bodily fluids.
• Venipuncture: Procedure for drawing blood by puncturing a vein to obtain samples or administer medication.

Patient Interactions and Rights

• Patient's Bill of Rights: Document outlining patients' rights, including confidentiality and the right to refuse treatment.
• Nonverbal Communication: Importance of maintaining eye contact and respecting personal space.
• Verbal Communication: Use layman’s terms instead of medical jargon; maintain professionalism in all interactions.
• Order of Introduction: Proper protocol includes introducing oneself and confirming the patient's identity.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Phlebotomist

• Phlebotomist: Trained individual skilled in obtaining blood samples for clinical testing.
• Duties: Includes professional conduct, specimen collection, patient identification, and adherence to safety regulations.
• Polycythemia: Condition of excessive red blood cell production often requiring therapeutic phlebotomy procedures.
• Microcollection: Blood sampling technique using dermal puncture for minimal specimens.

Studies Related to Phlebotomy

• Hematology: Focuses on blood and blood-forming tissues.
• Immunology: Examines the immune system's responses to pathogens, including allergies.
• Toxicology: Studies harmful substances affecting bodily functions.
• Serology: Involves identifying antibodies in blood serum.

Laboratory Testing Considerations

• Reference Laboratory: Offsite facilities that perform specialized tests on specimens sent from other locations.
• Point-of-Care Testing (POCT): Tests conducted directly at patient’s location using portable instruments.
• Urinalysis: Examines urine for various physical, chemical, and microscopic properties.

Professionalism in Phlebotomy

• Professional Appearance: Importance of a well-groomed image and positive interpersonal skills in healthcare settings.
• Negligence: Understanding intentional or unintentional mistakes that may harm patients.
• Nosocomial Infection: Infections acquired by patients while receiving care in a healthcare setting.