Laboratory Assistant Skills

When is a culture specimen obtained?

It is obtained when a physician wants to identify the causative agent of a disease.

What are used to collect a culture?

Collection container and swab.

True/False: A collection container and swab used to collect a culture does not have to be sterile.

False. It must be sterile.

True/False: Standard precautions must be followed at all times when you handle body fluids.

True.

What is a direct smear?

Referred to as a bacteriological smear; it is a culture specimen placed immediately on a slide for microscopic examination.

What is an agar plate?

Also referred to as a culture plate or petri dish. It is a solid medium that provides both nourishment and moisture for the organism.

True/False: Agar plates should be 35*C to 37*C (95*F to 99*F) for 24-36 hours.

True.

True/False: In some states, health science career students are not allowed to perform any procedure involving the obtaining of blood.

True.

True/False: It is important to know what is in the scope of your practice (what you can do).

True.

Requirements of a skin puncture.

• It cannot be any deeper than 2.4 mm deep perpendicular to the finger groove.

• If finger is cyanotic, do not puncture it.

• The first drop is to be removed due to interstitial fluid.

How long should you hold pressure on a patient that is taking blood thinners to stop bleeding?

3 - 5 minutes.

True/False: Centrifuge separates blood into RBCs, a buffy coat, and plasma.

True.

What is the range of leukocytes?

4.5 to 11

Average hematocrit value for adults.

• 36-46 percent for women

  • 40-55 percent for men

What does high hematocrit signal?

Polycythemia or increased red blood cells.

What are hemoglobin (Hgb) tests used to determine?

It determines the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.

How will blood appear post centrifugation?

Clear or pink.

What is a blood smear?

A drop of blood spread thinly on a slide for microscopic examination.

True/False: The slide used to perform a blood smear cannot touch the skin.

True.

True/False: An infection involving certain parasites can lead to an increase in the number of eosinophils.

True.

What are eosinophils?

A type of leukocyte.

What are differential counts used for?

Examining the form, structure, and relative number of erythrocytes (red blood cells or RBCs), leukocytes, and platelets.

True/False: If specimen is fixed (chemical or heat), an organism will not wash off until the stain is applied.

True.

What do abnormal shaped blood cells indicate?

Disease.

What is type AB considered to be?

The universal recipient.

What is type O considered to be?

The universal donor.

True/False: A piece of skin or other tissue found at a crime scene can be typed.

True.

What is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ERS)?

It is a blood test that determines the rate at which red blood cells settle out of the blood.

Where is the venous blood collected from?

The vein.

Venous blood is collected for what test?

The erythrocyte sedmentation rate (ESR).

What is fasting blood sugar (FBS)?

It is a blood test that measures blood serum levels of glucose after a person has had nothing by mouth for a period of time.

What is a glycohemoglobin test?

Also referred to as HbA1C or A1C test; It is a blood test that measures the amount of glucose that attaches to hemoglobin on red blood cells to determine the average blood sugar levels for the previous 2 to 3 months.

True/False: Reagan strips should be properly stored as they are sensitive to light/heat.

True.

True/False: Children can be taught how to monitor their glucose levels with glucose monitoring devices.

True.

What kind of oder does old urine tend to have?

Ammonia

What is pyuria?

An infection in the urinary system that causes pus in one’s urine.

What is the range of pH for urinalysis?

5.0 to 8.0

When urine is closer to 5.0 in pH, it is considered to be ____.

Acidic.

When urine is closer to 8.0 in pH, it is considered to be _____.

Alkaline.

When is ketone usually present?

Urine when a patient is diabetic.

True/False: A urinalysis should be performed on fresh, warm urine within 4 minutes after collection to provide the most accurate results.

True.

True/False: A urinalysis will still provide accurate results if urine is examined within an hour or refrigerated.

True.

What is phenylalanine?

A state required test performed on all newborns that scans them for protein and amino acids.

What is the normal range for specific gravity of urine?

1.005 to 1.030.

True/False: Low specific gravity or urine due to extra fluids causes urine to be below 1.005.

True.

A high specific gravity of urine will be _____.

Above 1.030 and concentrated.

What is a urinary sediment?

A solid material suspended in urine; it is best to collect upon waking up.