ca-copr-pcp flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Two patient identifiers

Before any specimen collection, verify two identifiers (full name plus date of birth or medical record number) that match the test requisition; room or bed number is never an acceptable identifier.

Informed consent

The patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after receiving an explanation of its purpose, risks, and alternatives; patients may refuse at any time, and the refusal is documented rather than overridden.

CPT-1 scope of practice

In California, a certified phlebotomy technician I may perform capillary (skin) punctures and venipunctures; arterial punctures require CPT-2 certification and additional documented training.

HIPAA minimum necessary rule

Only the least amount of protected health information needed for the task may be accessed or shared; discussing patients in elevators, hallways, or other public areas violates confidentiality.

Recording a record correction

An error in the record is corrected with a single line drawn through it, initialed and dated, leaving the original entry readable; erasing, overwriting, or backdating is falsification.

SBAR handoff

A structured communication tool standing for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation, used to report critical information between caregivers so key facts are not omitted.

Teach-back method

Asking the patient to restate instructions in their own words; a correct restatement confirms understanding, while errors reveal gaps that require re-teaching.

Qualified medical interpreter

A trained interpreter, in person or by phone or video, is used for patients with limited English proficiency; family members, especially children, should not interpret consent or clinical instructions.

AIDET framework

A scripted communication framework - Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank you - that reduces anxiety and improves satisfaction during short procedures such as blood collection.

Critical value reporting

A potentially life-threatening result that is phoned to the responsible clinician within the facility's stated time limit, with the value read back to confirm accuracy.

Venipuncture sites to avoid

Do not draw from an arm with an arteriovenous fistula, mastectomy with axillary node removal, lymphedema, active IV infusion, hematoma, or infection; use the opposite arm when possible.

Preferred venipuncture vein

The median cubital vein is the first choice because it is large, well anchored, and less likely to roll; the cephalic and basilic veins are second and third choices.

Syncope risk assessment

Ask about prior fainting during blood draws and watch for pallor, diaphoresis, dizziness, or yawning; seat or recline the patient and never draw while the patient is standing.

Fasting status confirmation

Confirm whether the patient has fasted as ordered and for how long, since a non-fasting specimen can invalidate glucose, lipid, and other test results.

Trough and peak levels

Trough levels are collected just before the next dose and peak levels at a specified interval after it, following the ordering provider's instructions and laboratory protocol.

Latex allergy screening

Ask every patient about latex sensitivity before using tourniquets, gloves, or adhesive bandages; use latex-free supplies and document the allergy in the medical record.

Order of draw

Blood culture first, then light blue citrate, serum tubes, green heparin, lavender EDTA, and gray oxalate-fluoride; the sequence prevents additive carryover that could distort results.

Tourniquet time limit

Leave the tourniquet on no longer than one minute and release it once blood flow is established; prolonged stasis causes hemoconcentration and falsely elevated potassium and protein.

Citrate tube fill requirement

Light blue coagulation tubes must be filled to the marked volume to keep the 1:9 anticoagulant-to-blood ratio; underfilled tubes give falsely prolonged clotting times and are rejected.

Hemolysis prevention

Prevent it by using an appropriate needle gauge, avoiding excessive vacuum and vigorous shaking, and mixing additives gently; hemolysis falsely raises potassium and other analytes.

Capillary first drop

In capillary collection, wipe away the first drop because it contains tissue fluid; then allow blood to flow freely rather than squeezing the site hard.

Infant heel puncture depth

In infants, puncture the medial or lateral plantar surface of the heel no deeper than 2.0 mm; preterm infants require shallower punctures to avoid bone injury and osteomyelitis.

Sharps disposal rules

Never recap, bend, or break a needle; activate the safety device and drop the needle directly into a rigid, puncture-resistant sharps container, replacing it when three-quarters full.

Standard precautions

All blood and body fluids are treated as potentially infectious, so gloves are worn for every venipuncture and eye protection is added when splashing is likely.

Needlestick first aid

Wash the wound with soap and water without squeezing or using bleach, then report immediately so source evaluation and post-exposure prophylaxis can begin promptly.

Hepatitis B vaccine offer

OSHA requires employers to offer the hepatitis B vaccine free of charge within 10 working days of assignment to employees with occupational exposure; employees may decline in writing.

Blood spill cleanup

Contain the spill with absorbent material, then disinfect with an EPA-registered tuberculocidal disinfectant or 1:10 bleach, observing the labeled contact time before cleanup.

Hand hygiene indications

Perform hand hygiene before and after every patient contact and after glove removal; use alcohol-based rub when hands are not soiled and soap and water when visibly soiled.

Workstation ergonomics

Adjust the chair and work surface so the surface sits at elbow height with feet flat and back supported, reducing neck, shoulder, and wrist strain.

Fatigue and injury risk

Long shifts and inadequate sleep increase sharps injuries and errors; scheduled breaks and adequate sleep between shifts are recognized injury-prevention measures.

Burnout dimensions

Recognized dimensions are emotional exhaustion, depersonalization or cynicism, and reduced sense of accomplishment; employee assistance programs and peer support are appropriate first steps.

Safe patient handling

Use lift equipment or a second caregiver for dependent patients, keep the load close to the body, and avoid twisting; back injuries are common among healthcare workers.