Phlebotomy Flashcards

Phlebotomy Basics

Tube and Test Knowledge

  • Phlebotomists must know which tubes are used for specific tests.

  • Table at the bottom of page 84 contains time-related information and tests. Table 4.6 on page 93 is also important.

  • An activity on tests and tubes is planned for the near future.

  • Flashcards or other memorization techniques can be useful for learning the tubes and associated tests.

Animal Cells (Referring to Textbook or other resource)

  • Cells are like factories that carry out daily activities like energy consumption.

  • Eukaryotic cells contain DNA in a nucleus.

  • Prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria (e.g., lactobacillus acidophilus), lack a nucleus; their genetic information floats freely in the cytoplasm.

  • Different cells have specialized functions leading to different appearances (e.g., bone cells, muscle cells, nerve cells, red blood cells, plant cells).

Blood Cells and Their Functions

  • Leukocytes (White Blood Cells - WBC):

    • Fight off infections and diseases.

    • Made in bone marrow and lymphatic tissue.

  • Red Blood Cells (RBC):

    • Transport oxygen and carbon monoxide.

    • Also made in bone marrow.

  • Platelets:

    • Responsible for stopping bleeding.

    • Light blue tubes are used to test platelet-related issues and blood-thinning medications.

Order of Draw and Specific Tubes

  • Light Blue Tube:

    • Used for testing blood-thinning medications like Heparin and Eliquis.

    • Tests include D-dimer.

    • Used to test the levels of certain drugs to determine appropriate dosage adjustments.

    • Bonus points for knowing a test not listed on the provided paper that uses a blue top tube.

Blood Cultures

  • Used to test for infection in the blood.

Blue Top Tubes

  • Help thin the blood.

  • Used for platelet testing.

  • Used for removing blood clots.

  • Used for medicine dosage testing.

  • Used for testing for blood clots.

Thrombocytes

  • Another name for platelets.

White Blood Cells (Defense)

  • Act as the body's defense, fighting off invaders.

  • Low white blood cell count indicates an immunocompromised patient

    • Immunocompromised: Patients with diseases like diabetes, cancer, or certain anemias may not produce enough white blood cells.

Sickle Cell Anemia

  • Hereditary condition.

  • Most commonly found in African Americans.

  • Cells have a crescent moon shape.

  • Cells lack the ability to pick up sufficient oxygen.

  • During a sickle cell crisis, oxygen administration may not be fully effective.

  • Tubes used:

    • Pink and Lavender

Blood Typing and Counts

  • Pink Tubes: Primarily used for blood typing.

  • Lavender Tubes: Primarily used for blood counts.

    • CBC: Complete Blood Count

Blood Circulation

  • Aorta → Arteries → Ureter → Capillaries → Ventricles → Veins