AMT CMLA key terms

Collection of blood from a vein with a needle, most often from the antecubital area of the arm, to obtain specimens for laboratory testing. It requires correct site selection, aseptic technique, and prompt tube labeling.

A closed collection setup in which a double-pointed needle lets blood flow under vacuum into pre-labeled tubes. It limits operator exposure and delivers a fixed blood-to-additive ratio for accurate results.

The standardized sequence for filling blood tubes so additives from one tube do not carry over into the next. Sterile and coagulation tubes are drawn before tubes containing heparin, EDTA, or other additives.

A constricting band placed above the puncture site to make veins easier to see and palpate. It should be released within about one minute to avoid hemoconcentration and falsely elevated results.

Rupture of red blood cells that releases hemoglobin and intracellular contents into the specimen. It falsely raises potassium, LDH, and AST and can interfere with many chemistry and hematology assays.

Collection of blood by pricking the skin, usually at a fingertip or an infant's heel. It is used when venipuncture is difficult or when only a small volume is needed for point-of-care testing.

The practice of confirming identity with two independent pieces of information, such as full name and date of birth, before any specimen is collected and again before labels are applied.

An anticoagulant that binds calcium to stop clotting, found in lavender-top tubes. It preserves blood cell shape and is the preferred additive for complete blood count and other hematology testing.

An unbroken, documented record of everyone who collected, handled, transported, or stored a specimen. It is required for forensic, workplace drug testing, and other legally defensible samples.

A collection method in which the first urine is voided and discarded and a mid-portion is captured in a sterile cup. It reduces normal skin flora contamination so culture results reflect the urinary tract.

Spinning a specimen at a controlled speed and time so cells or clots settle and serum, plasma, or urine supernatant can be separated for testing. Proper timing protects result accuracy.

The g-force a specimen actually experiences during spinning, calculated from rotor radius and speed. It matters more than revolutions per minute alone because it determines how completely cells separate.

A portion of a specimen transferred into a separate labeled container for testing or storage. Aliquoting prevents repeated opening, thawing, or contamination of the primary tube.

Predefined conditions that make a specimen unacceptable, such as missing labels, insufficient volume, gross hemolysis, clotted anticoagulated blood, or improper temperature. Rejected specimens require documentation and usually recollection.

The fluid portion of anticoagulated blood that has been separated from cells by centrifugation. It still contains fibrinogen and other clotting factors because the sample never clotted.

The fluid portion of blood that remains after the sample has clotted and cells and clot have been spun down. It lacks fibrinogen and other consumed clotting factors.

A priority designation meaning a specimen must be processed and tested immediately because the result is needed urgently for patient care. STAT handling usually has defined turnaround time goals.

The period and storage conditions under which a specimen keeps its original measurable composition without clinically important change. Exceeding stability limits can make results unreliable even when the specimen was collected correctly.

The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments are U.S. federal rules that group laboratory tests by complexity and set requirements for quality control, personnel, and proficiency testing.

A test the FDA classifies as simple and low risk of error, so it is exempt from most CLIA requirements. Trained non-laboratory staff may perform it if the site follows the manufacturer's instructions.

Testing performed at or near the patient rather than in the main laboratory, often by bedside staff. Results arrive quickly to support immediate clinical decisions but still require controls and documentation.

Testing materials of known value alongside patient samples to confirm a method is performing within acceptable limits. Results should not be reported until controls meet the established acceptance criteria.

A handheld device that measures blood glucose from a small capillary drop. It requires regular control checks, correct strip storage, and documented operator competency before results are used.

A reagent strip, read visually or by an instrument, that screens urine for pH, protein, glucose, ketones, blood, leukocyte esterase, and nitrite. Timing of reading must follow the manufacturer's instructions.

The international normalized ratio, a standardized form of the prothrombin time used mainly to monitor warfarin therapy. Point-of-care meters report INR from a capillary blood sample.

A point-of-care immunoassay that detects group A streptococcal antigen from a throat swab within minutes. Results guide antibiotic decisions, and negative results may require culture confirmation depending on policy.

Infection control practices applied to every patient regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, eye protection, and safe handling of sharps and body fluids.

Barriers such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection worn to keep blood, body fluids, and chemicals off the skin and mucous membranes. It is removed carefully to avoid self-contamination.

An OSHA regulation requiring workplaces with blood exposure to have an exposure control plan, hepatitis B vaccination offers, biohazard labeling, and safe sharps practices.

A rigid, puncture-resistant, labeled container for needles, lancets, and broken glass. Sharps go in immediately after use, and the container is replaced before it is overfilled.

A standardized document describing a chemical's hazards, safe handling, spill response, and first aid. It must be readily accessible to anyone who works with that substance.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub, performed before and after patient contact and after removing gloves. It is the single most effective way to prevent transmission of infection.

A program that sends unknown samples to a laboratory and compares its results with those of peer laboratories. It is a required external check on testing accuracy under CLIA.

Treatment, often including antiretroviral medication, started promptly after an occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Reporting the exposure quickly is essential so evaluation and treatment are not delayed.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after receiving and understanding its purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives. Consent must be obtained without coercion and documented according to policy.

A U.S. law that protects the privacy and security of patient health information. It limits who may access records and when information can be shared for care, payment, or required reporting.

Purposeful, patient-centered conversation using active listening, open-ended questions, restatement, and empathy. It builds trust, reduces anxiety, and helps the collector obtain accurate information.

The tasks a healthcare worker is legally and ethically permitted to perform, based on education, certification, and state or employer rules. Doing work outside that boundary is unsafe and may be unlawful.

A trained professional who accurately conveys information between a patient with limited English proficiency and the care team. Using an interpreter instead of a family member protects accuracy and confidentiality.