Phlebotomy key terms

Infection control practices, such as gloves and hand hygiene, that are applied to every patient contact regardless of known diagnosis, because any blood or body fluid may carry transmissible organisms.

Gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection, and other barriers worn to keep blood and body fluids from contacting the healthcare worker's skin, mucous membranes, or clothing during collection procedures.

A puncture-resistant, leak-proof, labeled container with a lid that is used to immediately dispose of used needles, lancets, and other sharp devices at the point of use.

Microorganisms such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV that can be transmitted through contact with infected blood or certain body fluids, making safe technique essential during every collection.

A written employer document describing how the facility protects workers from bloodborne pathogen exposure, including engineering controls, work practice controls, PPE, training, and post-exposure follow-up procedures.

A documented, unbroken record of who collected, handled, transported, and stored a specimen, used when results may be needed for legal or employment purposes such as drug testing.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub at defined moments, including before and after patient contact and after removing gloves, to prevent transmission of microorganisms.

Material contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious substances that must be segregated, labeled, and disposed of according to regulations rather than placed in ordinary trash.

Verification of identity using two independent pieces of information, such as full name and date of birth, spoken by the patient and matched to the requisition and label before any specimen is collected.

The order form or electronic entry that specifies the patient, the tests requested, the ordering provider, and any collection conditions or timing instructions the phlebotomist must follow.

The process of explaining a procedure, its purpose, risks, and alternatives, then confirming the patient voluntarily agrees before the collection begins.

The body's resting condition, typically achieved after about 12 hours without food, strenuous exercise, or smoking, and used when a specimen must reflect baseline values.

A sample collected after the patient has avoided food and calorie-containing drinks for a specified period, commonly overnight, because eating can alter glucose, lipid, and other test results.

A sample collected at a precise time or over a defined interval because the analyte's concentration changes predictably, as with drug levels, hormone studies, or glucose tolerance testing.

Conditions occurring before testing, such as patient preparation, tourniquet time, collection technique, and transport delays, that can change results even when the laboratory performs correctly.

Collection of blood from a vein using a needle, typically in the arm, for laboratory testing, transfusion, or donation purposes.

A collection method using a double-pointed needle, a plastic holder, and a vacuum-driven tube that draws a preset volume of blood directly into the tube.

A strap tied around the arm above the puncture site to slow venous return and make veins more visible, applied no longer than about one minute to limit hemoconcentration.

A large, well-anchored vein in the antecubital area that connects the cephalic and basilic veins and is usually the first-choice site for routine venipuncture.

The recommended sequence for filling blood collection tubes so that additive carryover from one tube does not contaminate the next and test results remain accurate.

A needle with flexible plastic wings and attached tubing, often called a butterfly, used for small or fragile veins and for collections where a standard holder is awkward.

Collection of a small blood volume by pricking the skin, usually the fingertip or heel, when venipuncture is difficult or only a tiny sample is needed.

A falsely elevated concentration of cells and large molecules in the sample caused by prolonged tourniquet application or squeezing the site, which forces fluid out of the vessels.

Rupture of red blood cells that releases hemoglobin and intracellular contents into the sample, which can distort many test results and is often caused by rough handling or small needles.

A collection of blood under the skin caused by blood leaking from a punctured vein, appearing as swelling, bruising, and discomfort, often from poor needle placement or inadequate pressure afterward.

The appearance of blood in the needle hub or tubing that confirms the needle tip has entered a vessel and the collection can proceed.

A substance placed in a collection tube, such as an anticoagulant, clot activator, or preservative, that alters the blood to preserve it for a specific test.

A chemical such as EDTA, sodium citrate, or heparin that prevents blood from clotting so plasma or whole blood can be analyzed or used for transfusion.

A tube containing a clot activator and a gel that, after centrifugation, forms a barrier between serum and cells, allowing serum to be removed without contamination.

Spinning a specimen at a set speed and time so that cells and other solid components settle away from serum or plasma, preparing the sample for analysis.

The thin layer of white blood cells and platelets that forms between plasma and red cells after centrifugation of an anticoagulated sample.

Conditions that make a specimen unacceptable for testing, such as missing or mismatched labels, hemolysis, clotting, wrong tube, or improper transport temperature, requiring a new collection.

Testing performed at or near the patient, such as a bedside glucose check, using a portable device and producing a result quickly without sending the sample to the laboratory.

A portion of a specimen transferred into a separate labeled container so that multiple tests or repeat analyses can be performed without opening the original tube repeatedly.

A communication technique in which the listener gives full attention, uses nonverbal cues, and restates or asks questions to confirm understanding of what the patient said.

The ability to recognize and acknowledge another person's feelings and perspective, expressed through words and manner so the patient feels understood rather than judged.

The duty to protect patient health information from unauthorized disclosure, sharing it only with those who need it for care, treatment, or legally permitted purposes.

The ability to interact respectfully with people whose language, beliefs, values, and customs differ from one's own, adapting explanations and practices so care remains effective.

The steps taken to address a patient's complaint or poor experience, including listening, apologizing appropriately, correcting the problem, and following up to restore trust.