The Foundations of Modern Phlebotomy

light blue, red, gold/sst, light green, dark green, lavender, pink, gray

The main top colors of blood collection tubes in order of draw

Beautiful cars look really great in gorgeous green or luscious pink and gray

Memorable phrase for remembering the main top colors for blood collection tubes

Communication

The exchange of information between two or more individuals

Battery

Unlawful touching that does not necessarily cause harm, but is without consent

Evacuated Tube System (ETS)

A system for withdrawing a predetermined amount of blood using a needle, adapter, and a color coded, vacuum-sealed tube

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

A federal law that protects patients health information

Negligence

Failure to provide appropriate care

Phlebotomist

An individual responsible for obtaining blood specimens from patients

Phlebotomy

The act of drawing or removing blood from a blood vessel to obtain a sample for analysis

Professionalism

An attitude and set of personal characteristics that all healthcare professionals are expected to exhibit

Venipuncture

The act of puncturing a vein with a needle

Agglutination

When particles in a liquid solution clump together

Anemia

A condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells

Anticubital (AC) Fossa

The inside area of the arm located at the crease of the elbow that is ideal for venipuncture

Antibody

A protein substance manufactured by the body in response to an antigen. The kind you have in your blood determines your blood type.

Anticoagulant

A substance that prevents blood from clotting

Antigen

A substance that can cause the formation of an antibody. The kind you have in your blood determines your blood type.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart

Capillaries

Tiny blood vessels below the surface of the skin

Coagulation

The process of blood clotting

Deoxygenated Blood

Oxygen-deficient blood carried towards the heart

Erythocyte

A red blood cell

Hemochromatosis

Elevated levels of iron in the blood

Homeostasis

A balanced state in the body

Leukocyte

A white blood cell

Oxygenated Blood

Oxygen-rich blood carried away from the heart

Palpate

Examination by touch or feel

Plasma

The liquid portion of blood consisting of about 90% water

Polycythemia Vera

A condition marked by excess red blood cells

Scope of Practice

The procedures a healthcare professional is legally and ethically allowed to perform based on training and certification

Serum

The liquid portion of coagulated blood

Thrombocytes

AKA platelets, cell fragments that aid in coagulation

Tourniquet

A band wrapped around a limb to constrict blood flow in the vessels and make veins more prominent

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart

Whole Blood

The blood that circulates through the body and contains all elements (plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets)

Biohazard

Biological substances that are harmful or pose a risk through exposure

Bloodborne Pathogen

Microorganisms that can cause disease through exposure to blood and bodily fluids

Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)

A global laboratory that develops standard practices for quality patient care and safety

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA ‘88)

Federal regulations that ensure the quality and accuracy of laboratory testing

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

A federal agency responsible for conducting research to provide safer and healthier workplaces

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The federal agency responsible for establishing and enforcing safety regulations across every workplace

Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM)

Bodily fluids other than blood

Percutaneous

Through the skin

Quality Assurance (QA)

A protocol or program that establishes policies and guidelines defining safe practices and document procedures

Quality Control (QC)

The steps or procedures performed to comply with a QA program

Risk Management

An internal system of guidelines and standards designed to minimize risks to patients and staff

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

An information sheet for each chemical, including information about exposure, storage, proper use, and disposal

Aseptic

Free of pathogenic microorganisms that can cause disease

Aseptic Technique

Practices that help maintain a clean environment to prevent infection and reduce sample contamination

Bevel

The slanted tip of a needle

Chlorohexidine

An antiseptic used as an alternative to alcohol

Diaphoresis

Excessive perspiration

Flash

The moment when blood first appears in the blood of a needle after a successful venipuncture

Gauge

A measure of the diameter of the lumen of a needle

Hemoconcentration

An increase in blood component concentration due to fluid loss

Invert

Gentle rotation of a specimen by turning it upside down and upright again to mix the blood with an additive after collection

Lumen

The hollow interior space of the needle

Order of Draw

The proper sequence for blood tube collection, as defined by CLSI guidelines

Requisition

A form sent to the laboratory that includes patient details, tests ordered, and any special instructions

Winged Infusion Set

AKA butterfly needle, a blood collection set that uses small plastic “wings” for stabilization

Anaphylaxis

A severe allergic reaction caused by the immune system releasing chemicals like histamine and serotonin into the bloodstream

Bariatric

Related to the treatment and management of obesity

Bedside Manner

The way a healthcare professional interacts with and treats patients

Dialysis

A medical treatment that filters waste, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood when the kidneys can no longer function properly

Edema

Swelling due to excessive fluid accumulation in the body’s tissues

Fistula

A permanent surgical connection between an artery and a vein

Geriatric

Related to the health, care, and medical treatment of older adults, typically those aged 65 and older

Graft

A temporary piece of synthetic tubing surgically inserted under the skin to connect a vein and artery together

Hematoma

A collection of blood beneath the skin caused by blood vessel leakage

Hives

AKA urticaria, an allergic reaction manifesting as red, itchy, raised welts on the skin that can vary in size and shape

Lymphedema

A condition that can cause swelling due to the removal of lymph nodes

Masectomy

Surgical removal of one or both breasts

Pediatric

Related to the medical care and treatment of infants, children, and adolescents

Petechiae

Small, non-raised red dots caused by bleeding under the skin

Port

Small devices placed under the skin and connected to a catheter that leads to a central vein

Seizure

Sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain

Syncope

AKA vasovagal syncope, a sudden fainting episode caused by a drop in heart rate and blood pressure

Aggregation

The clumping of platelets to form a temporary plug at the site of blood vessel injury

Analytes

Substances in the blood that are measured for diagnostic purposes

Bilirubin

A yellow pigment produced when red blood cells break down

Capillary Action

The movement of liquid through narrow space without the help of forces like gravity

Dermal Puncture

AKA capillary collection, a puncture of the skin to obtain a capillary blood sample

Endocrine

Relating to glands that release hormones into the bloodstream to regulate body functions

Fibrinolysis

The process by which the body breaks down and removes a blood clot

Galactosemia (GALT)

A metabolic disorder in which the body cannot process galactose

Genetic

Inherited from a person’s parents through DNA

Hemolyze

To break down red blood cells, causing them to release their contents

Hemostasis

The process by which the body stops bleeding after an injury

Interstitial Fluid

The fluid surrounding cells and tissues

Jaundice

A condition caused by excess bilirubin in the blood, leading to yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes

Lancet

A small, sharp medical device used to puncture the skin for low-volume blood collection

Metabolic

Involving the chemical processes the body used to convert food into energy and maintain life

Microcollection Tube

AKA microcollection container, a small plastic tube used to collect blood as it beads on the skin

Microhematocrit Tube

A thin glass or plastic tube that draws blood through capillary action

Neonate

A newborn less than four weeks old

Newborn Screening (NBS)

A series of tests performed on newborns to detect metabolic, genetic, and endocrine disorders

Osteomyelitis

Inflammation of the bone, usually caused by infection

Plantar Surface

The part of the bottom of the foot that contacts the ground when standing or walking

Point of Care Testing (POCT)

Medical diagnosis testing performed at or near the patient to provide rapid results

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessels