Phlebotomy and Specimen Collection Flashcards

What is the FIRST action after accidental needlestick injury during phlebotomy?

Answer: Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water

Immediately washing the wound with soap and water for several minutes is the first step to reduce pathogen transmission risk.

Which of the following is a pre-analytical error that can cause hemolysis in a blood specimen?

Answer: Using too large a syringe with too much suction force

Applying excessive vacuum or suction can rupture red blood cells, causing hemolysis before the sample reaches the lab.

A patient is on anticoagulant therapy. Which finding during venipuncture site assessment would require the MOST caution?

Answer: Petechiae on the forearm

Petechiae indicate capillary fragility or a bleeding/clotting disorder, requiring extra pressure after puncture and careful technique.

Why must the skin be allowed to fully dry after antiseptic cleansing before venipuncture?

Answer: To prevent specimen contamination with alcohol

Residual alcohol can hemolyze red blood cells and contaminate certain analytes, particularly blood alcohol levels.

Which specimen type is collected to perform a therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) trough level?

Answer: Specimen drawn just before the next scheduled dose

A trough level is the lowest drug concentration, drawn immediately before the next dose to assess minimum effective levels.

When collecting a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity, which collection method minimizes contamination?

Answer: Midstream clean-catch technique

The midstream clean-catch method reduces contamination from periurethral flora, yielding more accurate culture results.

Which of the following blood collection systems uses a vacuum-assisted tube and is the standard for most clinical labs?

Answer: Evacuated tube system (ETS)

The evacuated tube system (ETS) uses pre-measured vacuum in color-coded tubes and is the standard method for most adult venipuncture.