Phlebotomy Midterm Study Guide Vocabulary

56 vocabulary flashcards covering essential infection control, circulatory system, and blood collection terms from Chapters 3, 6, and 7.

Pathogen

A disease-causing microorganism such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protozoa.

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)

An infection acquired in a healthcare setting; also called a nosocomial infection.

Chain of Infection

The six linked elements (infectious agent, reservoir, exit pathway, means of transmission, entry pathway, susceptible host) required for infection to occur.

Hand Hygiene

Washing or sanitizing hands before and after patient contact, after glove removal, and whenever contamination is suspected.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Barrier items such as gloves, gown, mask, and goggles used to prevent exposure to infectious agents.

Donning Sequence

Proper order for putting on PPE: gown → mask → goggles/face shield → gloves.

Doffing Sequence

Proper order for removing PPE: gloves → goggles/face shield → gown → mask.

Standard Precautions

Basic infection-control measures applied to all patients regardless of diagnosis.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Additional precautions (airborne, droplet, contact) used for patients known or suspected to be infected with specific pathogens.

Airborne Precautions

Isolation requiring an N95 respirator to prevent spread of pathogens via airborne particles (e.g., TB).

Droplet Precautions

Isolation requiring a surgical mask to block large respiratory droplets (e.g., influenza).

Contact Precautions

Isolation requiring gown and gloves to prevent spread by direct or indirect contact (e.g., MRSA).

Protective (Reverse) Isolation

Measures used to protect immunocompromised patients from external pathogens.

Percutaneous Exposure

Pathogen entry through the skin via needlestick, cut, or puncture.

Permucosal Exposure

Pathogen entry through mucous membranes of eyes, nose, or mouth.

HBV

Hepatitis B virus; a bloodborne pathogen preventable by vaccination.

HCV

Hepatitis C virus; a bloodborne pathogen with no vaccine available.

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus; causes AIDS and is transmitted via blood or body fluids.

Post-Exposure Protocol

Immediate steps after exposure: wash area, report incident, and obtain medical evaluation.

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

Federal regulations that mandate protections against occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act

U.S. law requiring safer medical devices and involvement of employees in their selection.

Circulatory System

Body system that transports gases, nutrients, waste, and plays roles in immunity and temperature regulation.

Pulmonary Circulation

Route that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs and back to the left atrium.

Systemic Circulation

Route that supplies oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body and returns deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.

Coronary Circulation

Blood supply that nourishes the heart muscle itself.

Right Atrium (RA)

Heart chamber that receives deoxygenated blood from the body.

Right Ventricle (RV)

Heart chamber that pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

Left Atrium (LA)

Heart chamber that receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.

Left Ventricle (LV)

Heart chamber that pumps oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation.

Tricuspid Valve

Valve between the right atrium and right ventricle.

Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve

Valve between the left atrium and left ventricle.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

Primary pacemaker of the heart initiating electrical impulses.

Atrioventricular (AV) Node

Electrical relay station between atria and ventricles.

Bundle of His

Pathway that transmits impulses from AV node to ventricular septum.

Purkinje Fibers

Network that distributes electrical impulses through ventricular myocardium.

ECG P Wave

Electrocardiogram tracing representing atrial depolarization.

ECG QRS Complex

ECG tracing representing ventricular depolarization.

ECG T Wave

ECG tracing representing ventricular repolarization.

Artery

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart, usually oxygenated.

Vein

Blood vessel that returns blood to the heart, usually deoxygenated.

Capillary

Microscopic vessel where gas and nutrient exchange occurs.

Median Cubital Vein

Preferred venipuncture site located in the antecubital fossa (H-pattern).

Tourniquet

Device applied 3-4 inches above venipuncture site to engorge veins; should be on <1 minute.

Multisample Needle

Double-ended needle designed for use with an evacuated tube holder.

Butterfly Needle

Winged infusion set ideal for small or fragile veins.

Needle Gauge

Diameter size of needles; common venipuncture gauges are 21, 22, and 23.

Evacuated Tube System (ETS)

Closed blood collection system consisting of a needle, holder, and evacuated tubes.

EDTA

Anticoagulant that chelates calcium; found in lavender tubes for CBC testing.

Citrate

Anticoagulant that binds calcium; found in light-blue tubes for coagulation tests.

Heparin

Anticoagulant that inhibits thrombin; found in green tubes.

Sodium Fluoride

Additive that inhibits glycolysis; found in gray tubes for glucose testing.

Gel Separator

Thixotropic gel that separates serum or plasma from cells after centrifugation.

Serum Separator Tube (SST)

Gold or tiger-top tube containing clot activator and gel separator.

Order of Draw

Specific sequence for filling tubes: yellow (SPS), light blue, red, gold/tiger, green, lavender, gray.

Tube Inversion

Gentle turning of a tube 5-10 times immediately after collection to mix additives properly.