Which of the following parameters should a phlebotomist consider when selecting a blood collection method?
Patient condition, patient age, blood volume required
Patient height, patient gender, patient medications
Ordering physician, number of tests ordered, diagnosis
Time of day, timing of specimen, test status
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
The patient's condition is a critical factor as it can influence the ease of blood collection and the choice of collection site. For example, a dehydrated patient may have less accessible veins. Patient age is also important; pediatric and geriatric patients may require different approaches due to vein size and fragility. The blood volume required for testing must be considered to ensure sufficient sample size without compromising patient safety, adhering to guidelines that limit blood collection to a certain percentage of the patient's total blood volume.
Choice B Reason:
While patient height and gender may influence the choice of blood collection site, they are not as critical as the factors listed in choice A. Patient medications are important to consider, as some medications may affect coagulation or the integrity of the sample.
Choice C Reason:
The ordering physician's preferences may be considered, but they are not a primary factor in the method of collection. The number of tests ordered and the diagnosis can influence the volume of blood needed but are secondary to the patient's condition and safety considerations.
Choice D Reason:
The time of day and the timing of the specimen collection can be important for certain tests that are time-sensitive or influenced by diurnal variations. The test status, whether routine or stat, may affect the urgency of collection but not necessarily the method of collection.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Reporting the exposure to the supervisor is the immediate and required action after experiencing a needlestick injury. The supervisor will then guide the phlebotomist through the institution's post-exposure protocol, which includes immediate care of the wound, evaluation of the exposure, and initiation of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if necessary. This step is crucial to ensure that the risk of HIV transmission is minimized and that the phlebotomist receives appropriate medical attention and follow-up.
Choice B reason:
Reporting the exposure to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is not the immediate action required. The CDC provides guidelines and recommendations for handling such incidents, but the initial report and response are managed at the healthcare facility level. The CDC may be involved in the tracking of such incidents on a larger scale or providing statistical data, but they are not the first point of contact.
Choice C reason:
Sending the patient for further sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing is not an immediate action required following a needlestick injury. The patient's HIV status is already known, and the focus should be on the treatment and protection of the healthcare worker who experienced the needlestick. Any additional testing of the patient would be unrelated to the immediate management of the injury.
Choice D reason:
Saving the collection device for future evaluation is not a standard procedure. While the device may be retained as part of the incident investigation to determine how the injury occurred and to improve safety measures, the immediate concern is the treatment of the injured healthcare worker. The device itself does not play a role in the post-exposure management of the worker.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
An alcohol-based hand rub is generally used for hand hygiene when the hands are not visibly soiled. It is effective against many types of microbes but is not the best option for hands that are visibly dirty or contaminated with proteinaceous materials, such as blood or body fluids. The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water in these situations.
Choice B reason:
Sterile water rinse alone is not sufficient for cleaning hands that are visibly soiled. While sterile water can be used to rinse off debris, it does not have the cleaning or antimicrobial properties necessary to properly decontaminate the hands.
Choice C reason:
Soap and water are the recommended decontamination agents when hands are visibly soiled with blood or body fluids. The physical action of handwashing, combined with the detergent properties of soap, effectively removes soil and transient microorganisms. The CDC guidelines specifically state that hands should be washed with soap and water when they are visibly dirty or contaminated with proteinaceous materia.
Choice D reason:
An alcohol rinse, similar to an alcohol-based hand rub, is not adequate for cleaning visibly soiled hands. Alcohol is a disinfectant that is effective against many germs when used on clean hands but does not remove visible dirt or organic material well.
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