National Healthcareer Association Flashcards

A patient has a latex allergy documented in their chart. Which item used during routine venipuncture must be substituted?

Answer: Standard gloves replaced with nitrile or vinyl gloves

Standard examination gloves may contain latex; nitrile or vinyl gloves must be substituted for latex-allergic patients.

Which laboratory test requires the specimen to be kept warm (37°C) during transport to the laboratory?

Answer: Cold agglutinin titer

Cold agglutinins precipitate at low temperatures, so the specimen must be maintained at body temperature to prevent false results.

What is the maximum recommended tourniquet application time before venipuncture?

Answer: 1 minute

Tourniquets should not remain on longer than 1 minute to prevent hemoconcentration, which skews test results.

A requisition slip lists a 'STAT' order. In a clinical laboratory context, STAT means:

Answer: Immediate processing — results needed urgently

STAT (from Latin statim) signals that the specimen must be collected and results returned as quickly as possible.

Which of the following veins is considered the FIRST choice for routine adult venipuncture according to standard phlebotomy guidelines?

Answer: Median cubital vein

The median cubital vein in the antecubital fossa is the preferred site because it is large, well-anchored, and least painful.

After a dermal (skin) puncture, the FIRST drop of blood should be:

Answer: Wiped away and discarded

The first drop may contain excess tissue fluid that can dilute the specimen and interfere with accurate test results.

Which federal law primarily governs the privacy and confidentiality of patient health information that phlebotomists must uphold?

Answer: HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

HIPAA's Privacy Rule establishes national standards for protecting patients' medical records and personal health information.