Which of the following criteria is acceptable in determining the quality of a peripheral blood smear?
Covers a quarter of the slide
A well-defined edge
Covers the entire slide
A feathered edge
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason:
Covering a quarter of the slide is not an acceptable criterion for the quality of a peripheral blood smear. The smear should be spread across the slide in a manner that allows for proper examination under a microscope, and covering only a quarter of the slide would not provide enough area for an adequate assessment.
Choice B reason:
Having a well-defined edge is not specifically indicative of the quality of a peripheral blood smear. While the edges should be clean to allow for clear viewing of the cells at the margins, the quality is more accurately determined by the distribution and integrity of the cells on the slide.
Choice C reason:
Covering the entire slide is also not a criterion for a quality peripheral blood smear. In fact, if the blood covers the entire slide, it may be too thick to allow for proper cell differentiation and examination. A proper smear should have a gradient of cell distribution, ending with a feathered edge.
Choice D reason:
A feathered edge is the correct criterion for a quality peripheral blood smear. The feathered edge is the thinnest part of the smear and is where the cells are ideally distributed in a single layer, which is optimal for microscopic examination. This allows for the best visualization of cell morphology and is essential for accurate diagnosis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Wearing gloves is an important step in preventing the spread of infection, but it is not the first step. Gloves provide a barrier between the phlebotomist's hands and the patient, which can help prevent the transmission of pathogens. However, gloves can still become contaminated, and if hand hygiene is not performed before donning gloves, pathogens can be transmitted when gloves are changed or removed.
Choice B reason:
Hand hygiene is widely recognized as the single most important practice in preventing the spread of infections. It is the first line of defense against the transmission of infectious agents. Washing hands with antimicrobial soap and water mechanically removes pathogens, and the antimicrobial agents in the soap can kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. This step is crucial before any patient contact, especially before invasive procedures like venipuncture.
Choice C reason:
Applying antiseptic to the puncture sites prior to venipuncture is a critical step in the prevention of infection at the site of the blood draw. This practice is essential for eliminating skin flora that could potentially enter the bloodstream during venipuncture. However, this is not the first step, as effective hand hygiene should precede any patient contact or procedure.
Choice D reason:
Decontaminating equipment before use is a necessary step to ensure that no infectious agents are transmitted via medical instruments. This includes cleaning and sterilizing equipment that comes into direct contact with the patient. While this is a vital part of infection control, it follows hand hygiene in the sequence of steps a phlebotomist should take.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
The Apgar score is a quick test performed on a newborn at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. The 1-minute score determines how well the baby tolerated the birthing process. The 5-minute score tells the healthcare provider how well the baby is doing outside the mother's womb. While it is an important indicator of a newborn's health, it does not directly influence the calculation of total blood volume.
Choice B reason:
Height is a measure of the length of a person's body. In the context of a 2-day-old infant, height is not a practical or necessary measurement for determining blood volume. Blood volume is more closely related to weight than to height, especially in the case of infants.
Choice C reason:
Head circumference is a measurement of the size of a child's head and is used to monitor brain growth. While it can provide valuable information about a child's development, it is not used to calculate blood volume. The total blood volume of an infant is not determined by the size of the head but rather by the overall weight.
Choice D reason:
Weight is the correct factor to consider when calculating total blood volume for a full-term, 2-day-old infant. The standard formula to estimate an infant's total blood volume is approximately 80 {mL/kg} of body weight. Therefore, knowing the infant's weight in kilograms is essential for this calculation.
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