Specimen Collection Guidelines Quiz

Study Notes

All specimen tubes/containers must be labeled with the patient's name, date and time of collection, and initials of the person collecting the specimen.
If multiple specimens are collected, each must have a separate label specifying its source or type.
For multiple containers (e.g., 24-hour urine), label each container with a unique identifier (e.g., 1 of 2, 2 of 2).
The person collecting the specimen should complete the labeling.
Specimens not properly labeled will be rejected. Clients will be notified of any errors.

Blood specimens are collected routinely for laboratory testing, often by venipuncture (peripheral vein).
Universal precautions (gloves, masks, gowns, eye protection, good hand hygiene) minimize health care worker exposure risk.
Prior to specimen collection, assess patient factors (meds, pregnancy, age, sex) and ensure they've followed any special instructions (fasting, specific medication timing).
Four "rights" of specimen collection: Right specimen (confirm with order), Right time (e.g., trough/peak levels), Right patient (verify ID, label), Right method (universal precautions).

Blood collection tubes come in various colored stoppers, each with potential additives (e.g., anticoagulants).
Red top: no additives, used for various tests.
Tiger top/serum separator tube (SST): contains a polymergel and clot activator; serum separation upon centrifugation.
Lavender top: contains EDTA, used for complete blood counts.
Dark green top: contains heparin, used for lithium and ammonia levels.
Light blue top: contains sodium citrate; used for PT/PTT.
Light gray top: contains sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate, used for glucose preservation.
Specimens are typically processed into plasma, serum, or anticoagulated whole blood.

Bacteremia: bacteria in the blood.
Fungemia: fungi in the bloodstream.
Septicemia: bloodstream infection with bacterial multiplication and toxin production.
Common causative organisms in catheter-related bloodstream infections are gram-positive organisms (coagulase-negative staphylococci, S. aureus, and enterococci).
Adequate blood volume collection is crucial for accurate results. Separate samples for blood cultures to reduce risk of false-positives.
Blood Culture procedures should follow standard protocols for collection, timing, and labeling to optimize results.
Additional tests and identification methods are typically necessary for identifying specific organisms.
If suspect organisms are unusual, a clear communication with lab techs will increase diagnostic accuracy.