Phlebotomy flashcards
Phlebotomy · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Sharps container fill limit
- Replace the container when it reaches three-quarters full or the manufacturer's fill line; never force items in, and close and swap containers per facility policy.
- Hand hygiene duration
- Soap and water for at least 20 seconds; alcohol-based rub for 15-20 seconds, applied to all surfaces and rubbed until completely dry.
- Needlestick first action
- Wash the exposed site with soap and water, do not squeeze or apply bleach, then report the exposure immediately according to facility protocol.
- Standard precautions defined
- Treating all blood, body fluids, and contaminated equipment as potentially infectious, applying hand hygiene and gloves for every patient regardless of diagnosis.
- Safety Data Sheet sections
- A document with 16 standardized sections covering chemical hazards, first aid, handling, and spill response, kept accessible to employees who use the product.
- PPE for splash risk
- Gloves plus gown, mask, and eye protection whenever blood may splash or spray; gloves alone are sufficient for routine venipuncture.
- HIV post-exposure prophylaxis
- A clinician-prescribed 28-day antiviral regimen started as soon as possible after exposure, ideally within hours and generally within 72 hours.
- Two patient identifiers
- Full name plus date of birth or medical record number, confirmed by the patient's statement and against an ID band or requisition; bed number never qualifies.
- Basal state requirements
- A resting, fasting condition with no food for 8-12 hours and water permitted, usually collected in the early morning for fasting glucose and lipid panels.
- Tourniquet time limit
- Application should not exceed 1 minute, because prolonged stasis causes hemoconcentration and falsely elevates potassium, protein, and cell counts.
- Syncope prevention measures
- Ask about fainting history, position the patient seated or reclining, and never leave a patient unattended after a vasovagal episode.
- Implied consent
- The patient voluntarily extending the arm and cooperating with the draw; minors and incapacitated adults require consent from a parent or legal guardian.
- Allergy screening before draw
- Ask about latex, adhesive, iodine, and chlorhexidine sensitivity before choosing the tourniquet, tape, and skin antiseptic.
- Order of draw sequence
- Blood culture first, then light blue citrate, serum red or gold, green heparin, lavender EDTA, and gray fluoride-oxalate collected last.
- Preferred venipuncture site
- The median cubital vein; the cephalic is second choice, and the basilic is avoided because of the nearby brachial artery and median nerve.
- Needle insertion angle
- 15 to 30 degrees with the bevel facing up; a shallower angle suits superficial veins and a steeper angle suits deeper veins.
- Sites to avoid
- Hematoma, edema, scarred or burned skin, an arm receiving IV fluids, an AV fistula, and the side of a mastectomy or lymph node dissection.
- Winged set discard tube
- A non-additive tube drawn first to clear air from the tubing, required when coagulation specimens are collected with a butterfly needle.
- EDTA tube inversions
- Lavender EDTA tubes are inverted gently 8 to 10 times to mix the anticoagulant thoroughly; shaking instead causes hemolysis and specimen rejection.
- Capillary puncture site
- The side of the distal phalanx of the ring or middle finger of a warm, well-perfused hand; the infant heel at the medial or lateral plantar surface.
- Bedside labeling rule
- Label tubes at the patient's side immediately after collection with identifiers, date, time, and collector initials; tubes are never pre-labeled.
- Serum separation timing
- Allow 30 minutes for clot formation before centrifugation; serum or plasma is separated from cells within 2 hours of collection per most policies.
- Coagulation specimen storage
- Light blue citrate tubes are kept at room temperature, never refrigerated, and are tested within 4 hours of collection.
- Hemolysis effects on results
- Falsely increases potassium, LDH, AST, and ALT and falsely decreases glucose and bilirubin; caused by small needles, strong suction, or shaking.
- Light-sensitive analyte handling
- Bilirubin and certain vitamins are protected by wrapping tubes in foil or using amber containers and by transporting them promptly to the laboratory.
- Point-of-care glucose QC
- Run low and high control solutions before patient testing, check strip expiration dates, and verify meter calibration on the facility's schedule.
- Patient introduction sequence
- State your name and role, verify two identifiers, explain the procedure and expected time, and confirm the patient is ready to proceed.
- Teach-back method
- Asking the patient to restate instructions in their own words to confirm understanding, especially for fasting rules and post-procedure care.
- HIPAA minimum necessary
- Disclose only the protected health information needed to complete the task, and discuss patient information only in a private area.
- Medical interpreter use
- A trained medical interpreter is used for patients with limited English proficiency; family members are avoided for consent and sensitive results.
- De-escalation technique
- Lower voice volume and speaking pace, maintain open body posture, acknowledge the patient's concern first, then offer concrete options.
- Patient refusal documentation
- Record the refusal, the patient's stated reason, and the notification of the provider or supervisor; collection is never forced against the patient's will.