Deck 12: Specimen Handling, Transportation, and Processing

Question 1

The most reliable labeling method for avoiding transcription errors in specimen collection is:

A) handwritten labels at the patient's bedside
B) bar-coded computerized labels
C) addressograph labels
D) none of the above

Answer 1

bar-coded computerized labels

Question 2

The TAT refers to:

A) the time it takes for laboratory test results to be completed
B) the patient's temperature at 10:00 a.m.
C) transfusion-associated testing
D) delays due to transportation of a specimen

Answer 2

the time it takes for laboratory test results to be completed

Question 3

Which of the following is a possible occurrence if a blood specimen tube for hematology tests is filled correctly but not mixed long enough?

A) Hemolysis will occur.
B) Hemoconcentration will occur.
C) Tiny clots will form in the specimen.
D) The specimen will be lipemic.

Answer 3

Tiny clots will form in the specimen.

Question 4

Which of the following is a possible occurrence if a blood specimen tube for hematology tests is filled correctly but mixed too long or too vigorously?

A) Hemolysis will occur.
B) Hemoconcentration will occur.
C) Tiny clots will form in the specimen.
D) The specimen will be lipemic.

Question 5

Which of the following factors should be considered when pneumatic tube systems are used for transporting specimens?

A) mechanical reliability and distance of transport
B) speed of carrier and landing mechanism
C) effect on the chemical and cellular components of specimens
D) all of the above

Question 6

Glycolytic action refers to:

A) hemolysis
B) hemostasis
C) breakdown of glucose
D) breakdown of hemoglobin

Question 7

Serum should be transported to the laboratory for testing and separated from blood cells within which of the following time periods to prevent erroneous test results?

A) 5 hours
B) 4 hours
C) 3 hours
D) as soon as possible

Question 8

Cooling a blood specimen causes:

A) slowing of metabolic processes
B) hemolysis
C) hemoconcentration
D) hemostasis

Question 9

How should the specimen be transported if blood gases can be analyzed within 30 minutes from the time of the specimen collection?

A) in a plastic syringe at room temperature
B) in a plastic syringe on ice
C) in a heating block
D) in an amber biohazard bag

Question 10

If blood gases analysis cannot be analyzed within 30 minutes, why should the health care worker use an airtight container with icy water to transport the arterial specimen?

A) It decreases the loss of gases from the specimen.
B) It promotes coagulation.
C) It aids in the instrumentation phase of the testing process.
D) It increases the oxygen content in the specimen.

Question 11

Which of the following is considered confidential patient information?

A) clinical laboratory results of a patient
B) the name of the phlebotomist who draws a specimen
C) the name of the laboratory supervisor
D) the name of the patient's physician

Question 12

Assays that require a chilled specimen include:

A) glucose, cholesterol, and prostatic-specific antigen
B) gastrin, ammonia, catecholamine, and lactic acid
C) tests for electrolytes
D) all hematology tests

Question 13

To chill a blood specimen as it is transported, the health care worker should use:

A) tepid water
B) a small freezer unit
C) icy water or commercial ice pack
D) blocks of ice

Question 14

Specimens that require protection from light include those for:

A) CBC, diff, and platelet counts
B) PT and PTTs
C) bilirubin and vitamin B₁₂
D) hormone analyses

Question 15

Specimens other than blood may need to be transported by health care workers using special handling procedures. In the laboratory department, these specimens may include:

A) human or animal feces
B) body fluids
C) tissues
D) all of the above

Question 16

When designing a report form for laboratory results, what key elements would not be included?

A) patient and physician identification
B) date and time of collection
C) reference ranges
D) physician's home address and phone number

Question 17

Specimens being tested would not usually require centrifugation in which of the following areas?

A) chemistry
B) coagulation and hematology
C) blood bank donors
D) urinalysis

Question 18

For specimens that require centrifugation, serum or plasma should be removed from the cells within what period of time?

A) 5 hours
B) 4 hours
C) 3 hours
D) 2 hours

Question 19

It is preferable to make blood smears from EDTA specimens within what period of time after the specimen is collected?

A) 4 hours
B) 3 hours
C) 2 hours
D) 1 hour

Question 20

How long does it usually take for a serum specimen (without additives) to form a clot?

A) 5-10 minutes
B) 15-20 minutes
C) 20-25 minutes
D) 30-60 minutes

Question 21

It is best to mix a blood specimen in an additive tube 60 minutes after the venipuncture has occurred.

Question 22

It is important to shake the specimen tube vigorously to thoroughly mix blood with an additive.

Question 23

A patient's stress/anxiety can affect the pre-examination phase of laboratory testing.

Question 24

Blood specimen tubes without additives do not require mixing.

Question 25

It is preferable for a blood specimen tube to be maintained in a vertical position during handling after the venipuncture.

Question 26

In hospitals, for early-morning blood collections, most patients should be fasting.

Question 27

Blood culture specimens should be delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible.

Question 28

Ice packs should be used when transporting coagulation specimens.

Question 29

Coagulation specimens can be used for analysis even if they are clotted.

Question 30

Aluminum foil can be used to protect specimens from heat.

Question 31

Most laboratories require blood specimens to be transported in a ________ plastic biohazard bag.

Question 32

An amber-brown biohazard bag is used for transporting specimens that will decompose if they are exposed to ________.

Question 33

Sensitivity to light is called ________.

Question 34

________ specimens may be centrifuged immediately.

Question 35

An ________ is a small portion of a blood specimen that is separated for additional testing.

Question 36

Blood specimens from patients on ________ therapy will take longer to clot.

Question 37

The ________ of specimen tubes should remain in place during centrifugation.

Question 38

Room temperature is 22-25° ________.

Question 39

Refrigeration temperature for specimen storage should be between ________ and 8°C.

Question 40

All specimen refrigerators should be labeled with ________ warnings.

Question 41

Describe the effects of overshaking or vigorous mixing of a specimen.

Question 42

Describe how a centrifuge should be properly loaded with blood specimens and what happens if it is not loaded properly.