Lab Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real PCT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Lab Procedures flashcards as text
When collecting a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity, which technique is most critical?
Answer: Use a clean-catch midstream method
Clean-catch midstream technique minimizes contamination from skin flora, ensuring accurate culture results.
A PCT notices a blood specimen tube has hemolysis. What does this indicate?
Answer: Red blood cells have ruptured, potentially affecting results
Hemolysis occurs when red blood cells break open, releasing their contents and interfering with many lab tests.
Which additive is found in a light blue (citrate) tube and what is it primarily used for?
Answer: Sodium citrate; used for coagulation studies
Light blue tubes contain sodium citrate, which chelates calcium to prevent clotting and is used for PT and aPTT coagulation tests.
What is the correct angle for inserting the needle during a standard venipuncture?
Answer: 15–30 degrees
A 15–30 degree angle allows the needle to enter the vein cleanly without passing through the posterior wall.
A patient's fasting glucose level is 126 mg/dL on two separate occasions. This finding is consistent with:
Answer: Diabetes mellitus
A fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL on two separate tests meets the diagnostic criterion for diabetes mellitus.
Which specimen is MOST appropriate for detecting occult blood in stool?
Answer: A fecal immunochemical test (FIT) card
The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is the standard method for detecting hidden (occult) blood in stool samples.
When using a lancet for capillary blood collection, which site is preferred for an adult patient?
Answer: The fingertip (lateral aspect)
The lateral aspect of the fingertip provides adequate blood flow and avoids bone and nerve damage in adults.