ASPT Review and Phlebotomy Lecture Notes

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering phlebotomy procedures, laboratory tests, medical terminology, and anatomy based on the ASPT Review transcript.

2hr. PC/PP

Postprandial glucose test where the patient eats a high carbohydrate meal and blood is drawn $2$ hours after the meal.

ABO/Rh

Blood typing test for pregnant women; Rh negative women receive a Rhogam shot to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Alcohol level (ETOH)

Test typically drawn in a Plain Red tube or a Gray tube if provided in a state trooper kit; site must not be cleaned with alcohol.

Ammonia

Chemistry test collected in Pink or Green tubes on ice to check for liver disease or urinary tract infections.

APTT

Activated partial thromboplastin time; a coagulation test collected in a Light blue tube.

AST/ALT

Liver enzymes that may be elevated due to hepatitis, hemochromatosis, or striated muscle trauma.

Bilirubin

Chemistry test used to check for jaundice that must be protected from light.

BUN/Creatinine

Tests used to check kidney functions within the Renal/urinary system.

Creatinine Clearance

Urine collected over a $24$ hour span to check renal disease progression and protein elevation for preeclampsia.

Peak level

Drug level typically drawn $1$ to $1.5$ hours AFTER medication is administered.

Trough level

Drug level typically drawn $30$ minutes BEFORE medication is administered.

Electrolytes

A panel consisting of Sodium ($Na^+$), Potassium ($K^+$), Chloride ($Cl^-$), and Carbon Dioxide ($CO_2$).

FBS

Fasting Blood Sugar; requires the patient to have nothing to eat or drink for the last $8-12$ hours.

FDP

Fibrinogen Degradation Products; checks for abnormal fibrinolytic activity in conditions like eclampsia or pulmonary embolism.

GTT

Glucose Tolerance Test; requires fasting for $8-10$ hours and involves the collection of blood and urine at specific intervals after drinking Glucola.

PKU

Phenylketonuria; detected via heel stick within $14$ days of birth to prevent potential brain damage.

PSA

Prostate Specific Antigen; a chemistry test performed only on males to check the prostate.

Reticulocyte

A newly released or "baby" red blood cell used to check for an overactive spleen or bone marrow suppression.

RPR or VDRL

Rapid Plasma Reagin; a chemistry or serology test used to check for Syphilis.

Trace Metals

Tests for Zinc, Copper, and Lead collected in a Navy Blue tube.

Hippocrates

Known as the Father of modern medicine.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

CDC

Centers for Disease Control.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; concerns patient privacy.

Quality Assurance (QA)

A system for evaluating performance and logging irregular findings on equipment and repair steps.

Quality Control (QC)

Operational techniques involving daily checks on machines and test kits to ensure accurate results.

Venous blood

Deoxygenated blood that is dark in color.

Arterial blood

Oxygenated blood that is bright red in color.

Plasma

The top layer of settled blood in a non-clot tube, composed of $90\%$ water and making up $55\%$ of total blood volume.

Serum

Fluid from clot tubes containing antibodies, antigens, hormones, and electrolytes, but lacking clotting proteins.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that fight off infections; levels increase with fever, crying, and stress.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells that live for about $120$ days and transport oxygen and nutrients.

Thrombocytes

Platelets; cell fragments formed in the bone marrow involved in clotting.

Dermal subcutaneous juncture

Location of maximum capillary concentration, found at $1.6\,mm$ to $2.4\,mm$ in adults and $0.3\,mm$ to $1.6\,mm$ in infants.

Antecubital fossa

The area located inside the bend of the elbow containing the median cubital, cephalic, and basilic veins.

Asepsis

The killing of all living microorganisms.

Assault & Battery

Sticking a patient with a needle despite their refusal.

Basal State

The state of the body after a restful sleep and no food intake.

Bevel

The slant on the end of a needle.

Hemoconcentration

A change in the ratio of formed elements to plasma, often due to leaving a tourniquet on too long or too tight.

Hemolysis

The rupture or breakdown of red blood cells, which can falsely elevate potassium ($K^+$) levels.

Hemostasis

The process that causes bleeding to stop; the first stage of wound healing.

Lipemic

A specimen with a milky or cloudy appearance indicative of high cholesterol.

Lumen

The hollow opening within a vein, artery, or needle.

Lymphostasis

The obstruction of normal lymph fluid flow, which causes swelling and contraindicates drawing blood from the side of a mastectomy.

Malpractice

Failure to perform duties according to standards or performing procedures without proper training.

Nosocomial infection (HAI)

Hospital acquired infection; the most common type is a urinary tract infection and the most common source is Staphylococcus aureus.

OPIM

Other Potentially Infectious Materials, including body fluids with visible blood, urine, feces, and synovial fluid.

Sclerosed

A vein that has a hard, cord-like feel.

Syncope

The medical term for fainting.

CLSI

Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute; sets the standard of care for laboratories.

NPO

Non per os; meaning nothing by mouth.