Hartman's Phlebotomy Chapter 9

laboratory information system (LIS)

computer system integrating every part of the laboratory testing process, from orders through analysis and reports.

accession number

a number printed on all specimen labels and documents associated with a particular requisition.

electrolyte

a substance that affects the flow of nutrients and the removal of waste products in the blood.

panel

in phlebotomy, a group of tests either with related analytes or related to a unifying condition or organ.

hemoconcentration

a buildup of blood cells (solid components) relative the liquid components of the blood.

hemolysis

destruction of red blood cells.

antecubital fossa

the area inside the elbow.

median cubital vein

well-anchored vein in the middle of the antecubital fossa; first priority site for venipuncture.

cephalic vein

one of the veins present in the antecubital fossa; may be used for venipuncture.

basilic vein

one of the veins present in the antecubital area; may be used for venipuncture, but considered to be the vein of last resort due to its proximity to nerves and an artery.

median cephalic vein

one of the veins present in the antecubital area.

hematoma

injury caused by leaked blood beneath the skin.

iatrogenic anemia

a type of anemia caused by excessive removal of a patient's blood (e.g., by phlebotomy); especially common in infants and patients in intensive care wards.

phobia

a strong fear, usually inexplicable or illogical.

lymphedema

a condition caused by faulty lymphatic draining; a risk if phlebotomy is performed on an arm on the same side as a previous mastectomy.

arteriovenous (AV) fistula

a connection between a vein and an artery.

graft

a place where a person's vein has been redirected to a surgically implanted vein.

phlebitis

inflammation of superficial veins.

petechiae

a condition in which small, flat red or purple dots appear on the skin as a result of leaking capillaries.

integrity

having high quality and reliability.

microclotting

formation of small clots within a blood specimen.

QNS

laboratory marking for quantity not sufficient; indicates a specimen that is too small to allow ordered tests to be performed.

aerobic bottle

in phlebotomy, a receptacle for the portion of a blood culture specimen to be tested for aerobic (oxygen-requiring) microorganisms.

anaerobic bottle

in phlebotomy, a receptacle for the portion of a blood culture specimen to be tested for anaerobic (non-oxygen-requiring) microorganisms.

glucose challenge test

initial form of glucose testing performed in pregnant women to screen for gestational diabetes; patients whose results are high take the full glucose tolerance test.

aerobic bottle

in phlebotomy, a receptacle for the portion of a blood culture specimen to be tested for aerobic (oxygen-requiring) microorganisms.

anaerobic bottle

in phlebotomy, a receptacle for the portion of a blood culture specimen to be tested for anaerobic (non-oxygen-requiring) microorganisms.

glucose challenge test

initial form of glucose testing performed in pregnant women to screen for gestational diabetes; patients whose results are high take the full glucose tolerance test.

pipette

a narrow tube, often with a suction bulb, used to remove liquid from a specimen.

aliquot

a small amount of a larger specimen.

lipemic

description of a plasma or serum specimen that is cloudy or milky looking due to fats in a patient's recent meal(s).

icteric

description of a plasma or serum specimen that is markedly yellow due to high bilirubin levels.

pneumatic tube system

a type of automated specimen transport system used in some healthcare facilities.

heating blocks

a rack designed to hold tubes in an upright position while maintaining a specific temperature.

chain of custody

The exact path a specimen takes from collection to analysis that Provides legal proof that the specimen has not been changed or tampered with

ice slurry

a mixture of crushed ice and water.