Mixed Deck — All ASCP Topics Flashcards

Which department is responsible for performing blood typing and crossmatching?

Answer: Blood bank (immunohematology)

The blood bank (immunohematology) department is responsible for blood typing, crossmatching, antibody screening, and ensuring compatible blood products for transfusion.

Why must light blue-topped coagulation tubes be filled to the exact fill line?

Answer: To maintain the correct 9:1 blood-to-anticoagulant ratio

Light blue coagulation tubes require a precise 9:1 ratio of blood to sodium citrate. Underfilling or overfilling alters this ratio and produces inaccurate coagulation results.

What is the consequence of failing to maintain proper chain of custody for a forensic blood specimen?

Answer: The test results may be inadmissible in court

If chain of custody is broken, the specimen's integrity cannot be guaranteed, and the results may be deemed inadmissible as evidence in legal proceedings.

What is the purpose of the rubber sleeve inside an evacuated tube holder?

Answer: To prevent blood from leaking when changing tubes

The rubber sleeve in the tube holder covers the internal needle and prevents blood from leaking into the holder when tubes are removed and exchanged during multi-tube collection.

Which method is considered the MOST reliable for identifying outpatients who lack a hospital armband?

Answer: Government-issued photo ID

A government-issued photo ID is the most reliable method for identifying outpatients because it provides visual verification.

Which of the following actions helps prevent a hematoma during venipuncture?

Answer: Applying pressure after needle removal for at least 3-5 minutes

Applying direct pressure to the puncture site for 3-5 minutes after needle removal is the primary method to prevent hematoma formation.

Which two polymerizing agents are typically utilized in the casting process of polyacryamide gels?

Answer: TEMED and APS

TEMED (N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) and APS (ammonium persulfate) are the essential polymerizing agents for creating polyacrylamide gels. APS generates free radicals, and TEMED acts as a catalyst, accelerating the formation of these radicals. This chemical reaction initiates the polymerization of acrylamide and bis-acrylamide monomers, forming the porous gel matrix required for electrophoretic separation.

GTT is an acronym for:

Answer: glucose tolerance test

GTT stands for Glucose Tolerance Test. This diagnostic test measures the body's ability to metabolize glucose and is used to screen for or diagnose diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes. It involves measuring blood glucose levels at specific intervals after a patient consumes a standardized glucose solution.

Which group of functional groups is present in sugars all the time?

Answer: Hydroxyl qroups

Sugars, also known as carbohydrates, are organic compounds characterized by the presence of multiple hydroxyl (-OH) functional groups. These hydroxyl groups, along with a carbonyl group (either an aldehyde or a ketone), are fundamental to the structure and chemical properties of all sugars. They enable sugars' solubility in water and their crucial roles in biological processes.

If you are five feet away from someone, what distance are you within the Zone of Comfort?

Answer: Social Distance

The Zone of Comfort, or proxemics, defines different personal space distances. Social distance typically ranges from 4 to 12 feet and is used for impersonal business and social gatherings. Being five feet away from someone falls squarely within this range, indicating a formal or professional interaction rather than an intimate or personal one.

Which information is NOT required on a specimen label?

Answer: Patient's insurance number

Required label information includes patient name, ID number, date/time, and collector's initials — insurance number is not required.

Which division would conduct a glucose test?

Answer: chemistry

The chemistry division of a laboratory is responsible for analyzing various chemical components in blood, including glucose. Glucose testing measures blood sugar levels, which is a fundamental chemical analysis. Hematology focuses on blood cell counts and morphology, while microbiology identifies microorganisms.

What are the written and spoken protocols for infectious disease exposure recommended by OSHA called?

Answer: universal precautions

Universal Precautions are an infection control strategy developed by OSHA that mandates treating all human blood and certain body fluids as if they are known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens. These protocols include specific guidelines for personal protective equipment (PPE), safe handling of sharps, and proper disposal of contaminated materials to protect healthcare workers from exposure.

What is possible with a multidraw needle?

Answer: the process of drawing blood from a single venipuncture using several tubes

A multidraw needle, typically part of a vacutainer system, has a safety valve that allows multiple evacuated tubes to be attached and filled sequentially from a single venipuncture. This design prevents blood leakage when changing tubes and minimizes patient discomfort by avoiding multiple needle sticks. It is standard practice for collecting various blood samples during one draw.

Which liver enzyme is most specific for liver damage?

Answer: ALT (alanine aminotransferase)

ALT is the most liver-specific enzyme because it is found predominantly in hepatocytes, unlike AST which is also found in heart, muscle, and kidneys.

What is the most important step in ensuring accurate patient identification before venipuncture?

Answer: Asking the patient to state their full name and date of birth

The most critical step for accurate patient identification before venipuncture is to ask the patient to verbally state their full name and date of birth. This two-factor authentication method directly involves the patient and helps prevent misidentification, ensuring the correct tests are performed on the correct individual. This is a fundamental safety practice in phlebotomy.

A phlebotomist needs to collect a CBC, a PT, and a glucose test. Which of the following represents the correct order of draw?

Answer: Light blue, lavender, gray

The correct order of draw as established by the CLSI is: blood cultures, light blue (sodium citrate), serum tubes (red/gold), heparin tubes (green), EDTA tubes (lavender), and finally glycolytic inhibitor tubes (gray). Therefore, the PT test in the light blue top tube must be drawn first, followed by the CBC in the lavender tube, and lastly the glucose test in the gray tube.

A collection of cells absorbs DNA that is floating freely in their surroundings. Here's an illustration of:

Answer: Horizontal gene transfer

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the process by which genetic material is transferred between unrelated organisms, rather than from parent to offspring (vertical gene transfer). The absorption of free DNA from the surroundings by a cell is a specific type of HGT known as transformation. This mechanism allows bacteria to acquire new genetic traits, such as antibiotic resistance, from their environment.

When using a winged blood collection (butterfly) set, what is the first tube in the order of draw if coagulation tests are ordered?

Answer: A discard tube

With butterfly sets, a discard tube must be drawn first to fill the dead space in the tubing and prevent short-filling the coagulation tube, which would alter the blood-to-anticoagulant ratio.

When performing trace metal analysis, which color tube would you use?

Answer: dark blue

The cephalic vein is frequently utilized for venipuncture in obese patients because it tends to be more superficial and palpable on the outer aspect of the arm. In contrast, the median cubital and basilic veins can be deeper and more challenging to locate due to increased adipose tissue. Its accessibility makes it a reliable choice in these situations.