FREE Certified Patient Care Technician Questions and Answers
For an arterial puncture, Ken is gathering the necessary tools. He has accumulated the following supplies: sterile gauze, betadine wipes, a syringe, and a 1,000 IU/ml heparin solution. What is Ken's missing?
Explanation:
Ken should have gotten an ice-water jug. An arterial blood sample is put in an ice-filled container to prevent blood gases from escaping. The piece should be brought in an ice-water container to the lab for analysis within ten minutes after collection. Because of arterial pressure, a tourniquet is not necessary for artery punctures. The puncture site is cleaned with an iodine tincture.
Remember that arterial blood samples must be drawn under stringent anaerobic circumstances, frozen, and kept at 0 °C until analysis. If air bubbles are added during the sampling process, the arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) will be overestimated, and the arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) will be underestimated.
Simon is getting ready to take a sample of blood. Simon notices the existence of petechiae dispersed across both of the patient's arms when examining the patient's arm for a likely site. Simon is aware of what this means. Before leaving the patient, he takes extra time to ensure that the venipuncture site has ceased bleeding. Why did Simon act this way?
Explanation:
Simon knows that the presence of petechiae may indicate excessive bleeding problems after the venipuncture procedure.
The phlebotomist is responsible for being aware of all possible complications and special precautions necessary. A phlebotomist should not leave a patient until bleeding from the venipuncture site has completely stopped. If excessive bleeding occurs, the phlebotomist should apply pressure over the area and elevate the arm above the heart level for five to ten minutes or until the bleeding has stopped. Notify nursing personnel before leaving the floor.
Which of the following does not require extra attention while dealing with young children?
Explanation:
There is no need for safety straps when drawing blood from a newborn. An infant's total blood volume is significantly smaller than that of an older kid or adult, so a phlebotomist or patient care technician should be aware of the particular issues of this population, especially while monitoring the total amount of withdrawn blood.
Riley is ready to venipuncture a patient who has had a right-side mastectomy. What particular safety measures should Riley take for this patient?
Explanation:
During a mastectomy, lymph nodes are typically removed along with the breast. No lymph nodes are on the surgical side, which raises the risk of infection and lymphedema. A condition for the patient and unreliable or inaccurate test findings could result from drawing blood from an arm on the same side as a mastectomy.
Which of the following is not a special factor that patient care professionals should consider while performing phlebotomy procedures on old residents?
Explanation:
When working with babies, creating a protected environment is a specific issue. Working with older people entails unique concerns for things like mobility impairments, eyesight and hearing problems, cognitive or memory issues, and problems finding a good venipuncture site. Veins start to roll more easily as people age due to the loss of collagen and fat. Thin, weak veins may be brought on by medication or illness.
Leo just completed his first syringe-assisted venipuncture with great success! He was cautious to avoid lifting the plunger too quickly or pressing it down too hard when transferring the specimen or the blood from the syringe to the specimen container. What function do the extra safety measures taken when administering a needle serve?
Explanation:
Hemolysis of the specimen can be avoided by being careful not to lift or press down on the plunger excessively. Sometimes a syringe must be used in place of a vacutainer system. The special safety measures required for this treatment will avoid potential lab rejection and retesting.
What distinguishes hypovolemic shock from fainting?
Explanation:
A medical emergency called hypovolemic shock necessitates prompt attention. Even though it is alarming, fainting rarely indicates a medical emergency. Extreme bodily fluid loss results in shock, but several situations, including emotional reactions, can result in fainting. Fainting is the "transient loss of consciousness, followed by a swift return to consciousness."
Shock is characterized by pale, chilly, clammy skin, short breathing, a quick heartbeat, and low blood pressure. Pale skin, low blood pressure, and dizziness are some fainting symptoms.