NHA chapter 11 Testing & Lab procedures

Clinical Laboratories Improvement Amendments (CLIA-waived tests)

have little chance of harm due to error; can be performed in a physician office

Random urine specimen

Pt. urinates in a clean, non sterile container. This specimen is used for screening purposes and does not require fasting and can be performed at anytime

first morning urine specimen

a urine specimen that is collected after a night's sleep; contains greater concentrations of substances that collect over time than specimens taken during the day and is used for pregnancy testing or when other analytes (protein, nitrites) need to be evaluated.

clean-catch midstream urine specimen

Pts. performs perineal cleaning using moist wipes, begins to urinate, and then collects the specimen midstream in a sterile urine container. This is used for cultures or when a non contaminated specimen is desired.

24-hour Urine

this method uses a container with preservatives. The pt. discards the first morning specimen and collects all specimens for the next 24 hours, including the first void of the second day. This type of collection is important in quantitative analysis of the components such as proteins when analyzing kidney function

Catheterized Urine collection

Nurse or provider inserts a sterile tube through the urethra into the bladder and the CCMA preps Pt and assists provider during procedure.

fecal occult blood test

lab test performed to detect blood in the feces which can indicate a disease process or G.I.Bleed. To prevent a false positive instructions on medications and foods to avoid for 3 days prior to testing and the pt is to collect three separate specimens on the filter paper.

tape test for pinworms

Typically collectd on small children. provide Parents with a slide with a piece of tape on it. The tape is placed over child's anus before getting up in the morning and then back on the side and brought back to provider for analysis.

Stool samples for O & P, ova & parasite collection

Stool samples can be collected for parasites and or to evaluate for bacterial infections. Give pt special container and directions for collection at home

sputum culture

microbial test used to identify disease-causing organisms of the lower respiratory tract, especially those that cause pneumonias Pt should produce a deep,productive cough. Pts should avoid mouthwashes prior to sputum collection

collecting culture specimens

Always collected in a sterile container and precautions should be taken not to touch inside of container or lids and swabs which could contaminate the specimen.

Reminders for specimen collections

Collect specimen at the right time, Use the right site of suspected infection, minimize transport time to a reference lab, collect the appropriate quantity, use the appropriate containers and label accordingly.

FDA (Food and Drug Administration)

requires all testing to meet federal guidelines and determines the complexity of the tests performed in the Lab. Ambulatory care centers perform CLIA waived tests.

Point-of-care-testing (POCT)

A mode of testing in which the analysis is performed at the site where healthcare is provided

pregnancy test

blood or urine test to detect the presence of hCG