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Phlebotomy and Specimen Considerations
Phlebotomy and Specimen Considerations
Phlebotomy and Specimen Considerations
Source: Book,PPT,Discussion
Types of Blood Specimen
Phlebotomy and Specimen Considerations
Whole blood
Introduction - There is still plasma and cellular component
Pre-Analytical (Sample Processing) - When collected must be put in tube containing
Patient anticoagulant
MD test order - Arterial- for pH and blood gases, tube must have
Collection heparin (syringe only)
Transport - Venous
Analytical (Chemical Analysis) Plasma
Analysis - 90% water, 9% organic compound, 1% dissolved
Data flow gases
Post-Analytical (Data Management) - Liquid portion of anticoagulated blood
Interpretation by MD - The yellowish part in whole blood (anticoagulant)
Diagnosis and treatment - With fibrinogen
Phlebotomy Serum
- Process of collecting blood “to cut vein” - Liquid portion of clotted blood
- 2 main procedures: - Clotting factor is active
Venipuncture- used of needle attached - No fibrinogen
to a collecting device
Capillary puncture- collect through Venipuncture Equipment
skin puncture; micro capillary tube Tourniquet - Made of pliable
-Insert needle types- and lancet- rubber
- Strip with Velcro
The Vascular System - Locate the patient’s
- Network of arteries, vein and capillaries vein
- Arteries and Vein: - Must not be left for 1
Tunica intima- inner min
Tunica media- middle, thickest Needle - Size: gauge and
Tunica adventia- outer layer bore are inversely
- Capillaries: related
Only have one layer of tissue. - 21 gauge is the
Arteries - Arterial blood in standard for routine
bright res venipuncture
- Oxygenated blood -
- Collected through 90 Evacuated Tube - Multiple sample
degrees. System - Tube holder
- Performed by (barrel/adapter)
physician or RT - Evacuated tubes
Vein - Venous blood is Needle and syringe - Syringe needle
dark red - Syringe
- Deoxygenated blood - Transfer device
Capillaries - Smallest blood Winged Infusion Set - Luer fitting
vessels (Butterfly) (for syringe)
- One cell thick to - Luer adapter
allow for gas and (for ETS)
nutrient exchange Tube and a. Anticoagulant
Tube additives Light blue
Phlebotomy sites (citrate)
- Cephalic- second choice Green
- Median cubital- most preferred site (heparin)
- Basilic vein- least favorable site; near to brachial Lavender
artery, nerves and tendon; do not anchor. (EDTA)
- Other sites: hand vein- small, less anchored, b. Antiglycolytic
painful agents
Gray (sodium
fluoride)
c. Clot Activators
Red (silica)
Pre-analytic Consideration
Problem sites:
Burns
Blood Culture tubes - Yellow Scars tattoos
- Sodium Polyanethol Damaged veins
Sulfonate SPS Hematoma- cold compress treatment then hot
- Microbiology Edema
Coagulation tubes - Light blue Mastectomy
- Sodium citrate IV Therapy
- Hematology Heparin and Saline Locks
Glass- non additive tube - Red Fistulas
- No additive Procedural Error Risk:
- Chemistry,BB, Hematoma
Serology Iatrogenic anemia
Plastic clot activator tube - Red Infection of the site
- Silica particles Nerve injury
- Chemistry Inadvertent arterial puncture
Serum separator Tubes - Gold plastic/red & Reflux
gray rubber Patient Conditions and Complications:
- Silica particles/ Allergies to supplies and equipment
thixotropic gel Excessive bleeding
- Chemistry Syncope
Plasma separator tube - Light Nausea or vomiting
green/green/gray Obese patients
rubber Pain
- Lithium heparin, Petechiae
thixotropic gel Seizures/convulsion
- Chemistry
Heparin tubes - Green
- Lithium heparin
- Chemistry
EDTA tubes - Lavender/pink
- EDTA
- Hematology and BB
Specimen Processing
Routine handling
Mixing tubes:
- Invert 3-8 x
Transporting Specimens:
- Plastic bag with logo of biohazard
Delivery time limits:
- 45 minutes after collection
- Centrifuged within 1-2 hour
Special Handling
- Maintained at 37 degrees (heat block)
- Chilled (using crushed ice)
- Wrapped on foil
Specimen Suitability
- Hemolyzed
- Collection in wrong tube
- Failure to follow timing and handling requirements
- Quantity not sufficient
- Clotting in WB or plasma specimen
Centrifugation
- Specimens must be completely clotted within 30-
60 minutes at room temp.
- Visually check:
Lipemic- cloudy, turbid appearance,
presence of lipid and a non-fasting
specimen; interferes with colorimetric
analysis