Chapter 12 - Specimen Handling,
Transportation, and Processing
TAT - correct answer-Turnaround Time
The time it takes for blood specimens to be ordered, collected, transported, processed,
analyzed, and a result reported
What are the preexamination variables that pertain to a phlebotomist? - correct answer-1.
Patient Variables
2. Transportation and Handling Variables
3. Specimen processing and Storage Variable
4. Specimen Variable
Patient Variable - correct answer-Identification, age, gender, pregnancy, medications, fasting
versus nonfasting, diurnal variations, refusal to cooperate, patient unavailable stress or
anxiety ,etc.
Transportation and Handling Variables - correct answer-Correct filling and mixing of the
specimen tubes, specimen leakage, tube breakage, excessive shaking, etc.
Specimen processing and Storage Variable - correct answer-Adequacy centrifugation,
sample registration and distribution, delays in processing, contamination of the specimen,
exposure to heat or light, etc.
Specimen Variables - correct answer-Hemolysis, inadequate volume in the tube, inadequate
mixing of anticoagulant, etc.
Labeling the specimen correctly involves what three steps? - correct answer-1. The label
should be placed on the tube immediately after collection.
2. Sign and initial each labeled specimen.
3. Labeled tube should be compared to the patient's identification bracelet or verbal
verification that the label information is correct.
List the four pieces of information that must be written when labeling tubes. - correct
answer-1. Patients first and last name
2. identification #
3. Date and time of collection
4. Name/initials of person collecting the specimen
Why should specimens in evacuated tubes be maintained in the upright (vertical) position
during transportation? - correct answer-reduces the possibility of agitating the sample, which
my cause hemolysis.
What does thermolable mean? What are the common lab tests? - correct answer-substance
is sensitive to higher temperatures and needs to be chilled immediately.
, Lab Tests:
- Ammonia
- Blood gases (as long as travel is under 30 mins)
- Gastrin
- Lactic acid
- Parathyroid hormone
- Pyruvate
- Catecholamines
What common lab test require transportation at room temperature? - correct answer-- Cold
agglutinins
- Cryofibrinogen
- Cryoglobulins
What does photosensitive mean? what are common lab tests? - correct answer-substance is
sensitive to light and will decompose after exposure to bright light.
Lab Tests:
- Bilirubin (jaundice)
- Beta-carotene
- Folate
- Vitamin A & B6
- Porphyrins
How should you transport photosensitive specimens? - correct answer-Either...
a) commercially available amber/brown biohazard bags
b) specimen tube wrapped in aluminum foil
c) transport container that doesn't allow light to enter
Pneumatic Tube System - correct answer-Transportation vessels commonly used to
transport patient records, messages, letters, bills, medications, x-rays, and laboratory test
results.
Aliquots - correct answer-Small samples of a culture.
What are the three phases of processing the specimen after arrival to lab? - correct
answer-1. Precentrifugation - after specimen is collected but before centrifugation
2. Centrifugation - while the specimen is in the centrifuge
3. Postcentrifugation - after centrifugation of the specimen but before removal of an aliquot
of serum or plasma for testing
How can the aliquoting process be improved? - correct answer-- Design process in repeated
steps with small deviation
- Have steps peer reviewed
- Randomly retest aliquots against original tubes
- repetitions
Transportation, and Processing
TAT - correct answer-Turnaround Time
The time it takes for blood specimens to be ordered, collected, transported, processed,
analyzed, and a result reported
What are the preexamination variables that pertain to a phlebotomist? - correct answer-1.
Patient Variables
2. Transportation and Handling Variables
3. Specimen processing and Storage Variable
4. Specimen Variable
Patient Variable - correct answer-Identification, age, gender, pregnancy, medications, fasting
versus nonfasting, diurnal variations, refusal to cooperate, patient unavailable stress or
anxiety ,etc.
Transportation and Handling Variables - correct answer-Correct filling and mixing of the
specimen tubes, specimen leakage, tube breakage, excessive shaking, etc.
Specimen processing and Storage Variable - correct answer-Adequacy centrifugation,
sample registration and distribution, delays in processing, contamination of the specimen,
exposure to heat or light, etc.
Specimen Variables - correct answer-Hemolysis, inadequate volume in the tube, inadequate
mixing of anticoagulant, etc.
Labeling the specimen correctly involves what three steps? - correct answer-1. The label
should be placed on the tube immediately after collection.
2. Sign and initial each labeled specimen.
3. Labeled tube should be compared to the patient's identification bracelet or verbal
verification that the label information is correct.
List the four pieces of information that must be written when labeling tubes. - correct
answer-1. Patients first and last name
2. identification #
3. Date and time of collection
4. Name/initials of person collecting the specimen
Why should specimens in evacuated tubes be maintained in the upright (vertical) position
during transportation? - correct answer-reduces the possibility of agitating the sample, which
my cause hemolysis.
What does thermolable mean? What are the common lab tests? - correct answer-substance
is sensitive to higher temperatures and needs to be chilled immediately.
, Lab Tests:
- Ammonia
- Blood gases (as long as travel is under 30 mins)
- Gastrin
- Lactic acid
- Parathyroid hormone
- Pyruvate
- Catecholamines
What common lab test require transportation at room temperature? - correct answer-- Cold
agglutinins
- Cryofibrinogen
- Cryoglobulins
What does photosensitive mean? what are common lab tests? - correct answer-substance is
sensitive to light and will decompose after exposure to bright light.
Lab Tests:
- Bilirubin (jaundice)
- Beta-carotene
- Folate
- Vitamin A & B6
- Porphyrins
How should you transport photosensitive specimens? - correct answer-Either...
a) commercially available amber/brown biohazard bags
b) specimen tube wrapped in aluminum foil
c) transport container that doesn't allow light to enter
Pneumatic Tube System - correct answer-Transportation vessels commonly used to
transport patient records, messages, letters, bills, medications, x-rays, and laboratory test
results.
Aliquots - correct answer-Small samples of a culture.
What are the three phases of processing the specimen after arrival to lab? - correct
answer-1. Precentrifugation - after specimen is collected but before centrifugation
2. Centrifugation - while the specimen is in the centrifuge
3. Postcentrifugation - after centrifugation of the specimen but before removal of an aliquot
of serum or plasma for testing
How can the aliquoting process be improved? - correct answer-- Design process in repeated
steps with small deviation
- Have steps peer reviewed
- Randomly retest aliquots against original tubes
- repetitions
