Phlebotomy Chapter 9 and 16 Review

Hematoma

A reddened swollen area where blood collects under the skin. It forms when the extra pressure from the tourniquet forces blood out through the puncture; This is why the tourniquet must be removed before the needle is removed from the vein to prevent this

Hemoconcentration

An increase in the ratio of formed elements to plasma caused by leaving the tourniquet on for too long or too tight. This can alter some test results

Hemolysis

Can occur if the tourniquet is left on too tight/too long; destruction of red blood cells; in blood collection/sampling its caused by sample collection, jarring transportation methods, extreme temperature, sample handling, delayed processing, and prolonged storage & shaking the tube vigorously

Palpitation

To locate a vein by feeling for it in comparison to using site, it is done by gently pushing up/down the index finger on the area with the index finger to determine the depth, width, & direction of the veins

Petechiae

Small red spots on the skin caused by a tourniquet that is too tight

Requisition

Set of labels for the collection tubes. For outpatients, the lab processes the physician’s request & generates it

Accession Number

Unique identifying number used for cataloging the sample of in the laboratory, each sample has this mark

Aerosol

The major risk of stopper removal, a microscopic mist of blood that forms from droplets inside the tub, especially if the tube or rim has been contaminated

Aliquots

Small portions of a specimen/sample that is transferred into separate containers to a variety of laboratory departments

Analytes

The substances being tested; in testing, separating cells from the plasma prevents alteration of the levels of analytes

Centrifuge

Spins the sample at a very high speed to separate the components based on density. Denser cellular elements move to the bottom and the plasma & serum are pushed to the top

Pneumatic Tube System

System where samples are carried in sealed plastic carriers that travel within a network of tubes