Collection of Blood and Non-Blood Specimens

(CLSI)

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute

Yellow

Sterile Tube (blood cultures)

Light Blue

Coagulation Tube

Red

Serum Tube

Red Grey Gold

SST (Serum Separator Tubes)

Light Green Dark Green

PST (Plasma Separator Tubes)

Lavender

EDTA Tube

Gray

Glycolytic Inhibitor Tube

2-hour Post Prandial Glucose

(Post Prandial, or PP, means after a meal.) This is used to test for diabetes mellitus.

Glucose Tolerance Test

Used to diagnose carbohydrate metabolism problems.

Lactose Tolerance Test (LTT)

This is used to determine if lactase is present in the patient's digestive system.

Bleeding Time Test (BT)

A BT test is performed on the forearm and uses a blood pressure cuff inflated to 40 mm Hg.

DNA Test

A DNA test is done by swabbing the inside of the cheek, also known as a buccal swab.

(COC)

Chain of custody

Capillary Collection

also known as dermal puncture

Syncope

(sudden fainting, hematomas from advancing needles too far or at wrong angles causing blood to leak into surrounding tissues, and petechiae (small red hemorrhagic spots) caused by applying tourniquets too tightly.

(VADs)

vascular access devices

(POCT)

Point-of-Care testing

"CLIA waved."

This means that based on the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988, the simplicity of these tests makes errors in testing or reading unlikely.

The Safety Syringe Blood Culture Collection

This technique uses specialized equipment to prevent needlestick injuries while maintaining sterile conditions necessary for accurate microbial detection.

The butterfly assembly method

provides a practical approach for blood culture collection, particularly beneficial for patients with difficult veins or when drawing blood from children.

The evacuated tube system

offers a standardized approach to blood culture collection that utilizes vacuum tubes to draw blood directly from the patient. This method provides consistent sample volumes and reduces the risk of contamination through a closed system that minimizes blood exposure during collection and transfer.

QNS

quantity not sufficient

non-blood specimens

These specimens provide valuable information about organ function, infections, fertility, and other health conditions through specialized collection methods tailored to each specimen type.

Urine specimens

typically collected using temperature- measured cups to ensure sample integrity.

UA

routine urinalysis

UTI

urinary tract infection

C&S

culture and sensitivity

HCG

human chorionic gonadotropin

regular voided specimen

also known as a random urine specimen, is commonly collected for urinalysis.This type of sample does not require any special preparation and can be obtained at any time of day.

Timed specimens

involve collecting urine at specific intervals. Ex) 24-hour urine collection in which the patient discards their first morning urine, then collects all subsequent urine samples for the next 24 hours, ending with the first urine voided the following morning or at the same time the collection began the previous day.

First morning specimens

collected immediately after the patient wakes up.

The midstream, clean catch specimen

the most common procedure for urine collection, especially when a sterile sample is needed for culture and sensitivity testing to diagnose urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Catheterized specimens

are collected by inserting a catheter through the urethra and into the bladder, allowing urine to be obtained directly from the source.

suprapubic specimens/ suprapubic aspiration collections

a physician inserts a needle through the abdominal wall directly into the bladder to retrieve the urine.

Stool or fecal specimens

collected to test for bacterial or viral intestinal infections. They may also be used to screen for occult blood, indicative of colorectal cancer. These samples must be collected in a clean, dry container with a tightly fitted lid.

Semen specimens

used in fertility testing, to determine the effectiveness of a vasectomy, or for forensic analysis as part of a rape kit

Cerebrospinal fluid

referred to as CSF, is fluid that circulates in the brain and spinal cord.

Amniotic fluid

is found surrounding the fetus in the amniotic sac in pregnant women.These specimens are collected through a special procedure known as an amniocentesis, which may only be performed by a physician.

Throat culture samples

also known as throat swabs, are collected to diagnose throat infections and determine an appropriate method of treatment.

(POC test)

rapid strep test

Sputum

This is mucus or phlegm that is ejected from the trachea, bronchi, and lungs through deep coughing. These specimens are sometimes collected in the diagnosis or monitoring of lower respiratory tract infections such as tuberculosis (TB).

Nasopharyngeal (NP)

secretions can be tested to detect microorganisms that cause diseases such as diphtheria, influenza, meningitis, pertussis, and pneumonia.

Vital signs

include heartbeat, breathing rate, temperature, and blood pressure, which are monitored to check an individual's level of physical functioning, identify potential complications before or after blood collection, and fulfill facility-specific protocols for pre-donation screening, drug testing, or inpatient draws.

Thermometers

measure temperature using Fahrenheit and Celsius scales at various body sites, each with specific normal ranges and contraindications.

febrile

presence of fever

afebrile

absence of fever

pyrexia

oral temperature of 100.8°F

hyperpyrexia

oral temperature of 104°F or higher

intermittent

fluctuating fever returning to baseline

remittent

fluctuating fever remaining elevated

continuous

constant fever above baseline

Oral

97.6-99.6°F (36.5-37.5°C) - most common method

Rectal

98.6-100.6°F (37.0-38.1°C) - most accurate

Axillary

96.6-98.6°F (35.9-37.0°C) - least accurate

Tympanic

98.6°F (37°C) - useful for children and confused patients

SIMS

side-lying

Apnea

temporary complete absence of breathing

Tachypnea

respiration rate greater than 40/min (transient in newborns, may indicate hysteria in adults)

Bradypnea

decreased respirations (occurs during sleep or certain diseases)

mmHg

millimeters of mercury

systolic

highest pressure

diastolic

lowest pressure

sphygmomanometer

aneroid or mercury type

diastolic pressure

sounds become muffled then disappear

systolic minus diastolic

Pulse pressure normal