PLB 109 Final exam study guide UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Analyze procedural errors that lead to failure to obtain blood - CORRECT ANSWER -
Arrange the different levels of test status request onto the most logical order for venipuncture -
CORRECT ANSWER - STAT( 1st): Draw immediately before any other test, Test results
urgently needed on critical patient. Timed( 2nd if near time): Draw at a specific time. Timing is
critical for accurate patients. ASPA (2nd or 3rd): As soon as possible, patient is in serious but not
critical condition, pre-op/ Post-op. Fasting (4th):Patient has not eaten recently. Routine (Last)
Used to establish a diagnosis or monitor a patient progress. Collect in a timely manner, but no
urgency.
Define and identify the purpose of OSHA - CORRECT ANSWER - Occupational safety and
health administration. Mandates and enforce safe working condition for employees. Bloodborne
pathogens standard: ptotects employees from accidental exposure to bloodborne pathogen
Define anticoagulant - CORRECT ANSWER - Oxalate. Use to treat or prevent Blood clot
Define buffy coat - CORRECT ANSWER - Middle thick layer: WBCS and platelets.
Define edema and describe an edematous arm. - CORRECT ANSWER - Edema- Swelling,
increased fluid in tissue, difficult to palpate, specimen contaminated with fluid, specimen:
specimen may cause erroneous results.
Define hemostasis and identify additional names for the process - CORRECT ANSWER -
Process by which the body stops the leakage of blood from the vascular system after injury. It is
also called coagulation process or the clotting process
Define informed consent and provide an example - CORRECT ANSWER - Patient must
consent to the venipuncture. Part of informed consent is telling patient you are a student
,Define plasma, describe how plasma is obtained, and identify tubes used to obtain plasma -
CORRECT ANSWER - Plasma is fluid from whole blood specimen. Whole blood must be
separated to get plasma. Green , Lavender, light blue and gray.
Define serum, describe how serum is obtained, and identify tubes used to obtain serum -
CORRECT ANSWER - Serum is the liquid portion of a clotted specimen. To obtain serum:
Use clot tubes -Red stopper. Use serum separator tube (SST)
Define Standard Precautions and describe when to use Standard Precautions - CORRECT
ANSWER - Standard precaution : treat every fluid as potentially infectious, hand hygiene,
gloves.
Define the term iatrogenic anemia and explain how to prevent it - CORRECT ANSWER -
Removal of blood on a regular basis for testing: causes anemia. Facilities should have a
mechanism to monitor the volume of blood: pediatric patients and Critically ill patients. Limits
to 1-5% of patient blood volume within 24 hours: blood volume children 75-80 ml/kg
Define what is a fasting specimen - CORRECT ANSWER - When a patient hasn't eaten
anything for 12 hours to get their blood drawn
Demonstrate and discuss the proper technique for tying a tourniquet - CORRECT ANSWER -
Position the tourniquet around the arm. Each hand should grasp one side of the tourniquet,
several inches from the end. Apply small amount of tension around by stretching the tourniquet
around the arm. Maintain tension and bring the two side of tourniquet together. Grasp the
tourniquet between the thumb and index finger of the right hand near the patient's arm.While
securely grasping the tourniquet, tuck a portion of the left side under the right side into a
loop.The ends of the tied tourniquet should point toward the shoulder
Describe how much blood should be discarded when drawing blood through an indwelling
vascular device - CORRECT ANSWER - 5ml
Describe how to handle a patient refusing a venipuncture - CORRECT ANSWER - Note if
patient refuses and notify nurse or doctor. Patient must consent to venipuncture
, Describe how to palpate veins and what veins feel like. - CORRECT ANSWER - Palpate:
press and release site several times. Vein has a bounce and resilience when palpating with index
finger
Describe how to respond to patient inquiries about testing - CORRECT ANSWER - Never
attempt to explain the purpose
Describe the 4 main steps in hemostasis - CORRECT ANSWER - 1.) vasoconstriction: of
blood and vessel occurs. 2.) platelets clumping together: and stick to portion of vessels, called
platelet plus, stop venipuncture site from bleeding. 3.) coagulation/ clotting: clotting factors help
form a fibrin meshwork. Platelet plug become a stable blood clot. 4.) Fibrinolysis: Fibrin
clot/scab disappears when injury is completely healed
Describe the components of the ETS system, how each component is used, and the purpose of
each of the components - CORRECT ANSWER -
Describe the composition of whole blood - CORRECT ANSWER - Blood in the same form as
found in the body. Made up of formed elements suspended in plasma
Describe the different parts of a needle - CORRECT ANSWER - Bevel: Tip of needle, Cut
several time at a slant. Shaft: Most 1 in to 1 1/2 in, 1/2 to 3/4 for butterfly needle. Hub: attaches
to blood collection device
Describe the formed elements composing blood including the purpose of each and alternate
names for each - CORRECT ANSWER - Red blood cells: Also known as erythrocytes, Most
numerous- carry O2 from lungs to cells. White blood cells: also called leukocytes, Fights
infections. Platelets: Also called thrombocytes, important in coagulation.
Describe the purpose of anchoring a vein during venipuncture and explain how to anchor a vein.
- CORRECT ANSWER - To keep the vein from rolling by pulling the skin 1-2 below site
taunt with your thumb. Anchor in with the vein not to the side.
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Analyze procedural errors that lead to failure to obtain blood - CORRECT ANSWER -
Arrange the different levels of test status request onto the most logical order for venipuncture -
CORRECT ANSWER - STAT( 1st): Draw immediately before any other test, Test results
urgently needed on critical patient. Timed( 2nd if near time): Draw at a specific time. Timing is
critical for accurate patients. ASPA (2nd or 3rd): As soon as possible, patient is in serious but not
critical condition, pre-op/ Post-op. Fasting (4th):Patient has not eaten recently. Routine (Last)
Used to establish a diagnosis or monitor a patient progress. Collect in a timely manner, but no
urgency.
Define and identify the purpose of OSHA - CORRECT ANSWER - Occupational safety and
health administration. Mandates and enforce safe working condition for employees. Bloodborne
pathogens standard: ptotects employees from accidental exposure to bloodborne pathogen
Define anticoagulant - CORRECT ANSWER - Oxalate. Use to treat or prevent Blood clot
Define buffy coat - CORRECT ANSWER - Middle thick layer: WBCS and platelets.
Define edema and describe an edematous arm. - CORRECT ANSWER - Edema- Swelling,
increased fluid in tissue, difficult to palpate, specimen contaminated with fluid, specimen:
specimen may cause erroneous results.
Define hemostasis and identify additional names for the process - CORRECT ANSWER -
Process by which the body stops the leakage of blood from the vascular system after injury. It is
also called coagulation process or the clotting process
Define informed consent and provide an example - CORRECT ANSWER - Patient must
consent to the venipuncture. Part of informed consent is telling patient you are a student
,Define plasma, describe how plasma is obtained, and identify tubes used to obtain plasma -
CORRECT ANSWER - Plasma is fluid from whole blood specimen. Whole blood must be
separated to get plasma. Green , Lavender, light blue and gray.
Define serum, describe how serum is obtained, and identify tubes used to obtain serum -
CORRECT ANSWER - Serum is the liquid portion of a clotted specimen. To obtain serum:
Use clot tubes -Red stopper. Use serum separator tube (SST)
Define Standard Precautions and describe when to use Standard Precautions - CORRECT
ANSWER - Standard precaution : treat every fluid as potentially infectious, hand hygiene,
gloves.
Define the term iatrogenic anemia and explain how to prevent it - CORRECT ANSWER -
Removal of blood on a regular basis for testing: causes anemia. Facilities should have a
mechanism to monitor the volume of blood: pediatric patients and Critically ill patients. Limits
to 1-5% of patient blood volume within 24 hours: blood volume children 75-80 ml/kg
Define what is a fasting specimen - CORRECT ANSWER - When a patient hasn't eaten
anything for 12 hours to get their blood drawn
Demonstrate and discuss the proper technique for tying a tourniquet - CORRECT ANSWER -
Position the tourniquet around the arm. Each hand should grasp one side of the tourniquet,
several inches from the end. Apply small amount of tension around by stretching the tourniquet
around the arm. Maintain tension and bring the two side of tourniquet together. Grasp the
tourniquet between the thumb and index finger of the right hand near the patient's arm.While
securely grasping the tourniquet, tuck a portion of the left side under the right side into a
loop.The ends of the tied tourniquet should point toward the shoulder
Describe how much blood should be discarded when drawing blood through an indwelling
vascular device - CORRECT ANSWER - 5ml
Describe how to handle a patient refusing a venipuncture - CORRECT ANSWER - Note if
patient refuses and notify nurse or doctor. Patient must consent to venipuncture
, Describe how to palpate veins and what veins feel like. - CORRECT ANSWER - Palpate:
press and release site several times. Vein has a bounce and resilience when palpating with index
finger
Describe how to respond to patient inquiries about testing - CORRECT ANSWER - Never
attempt to explain the purpose
Describe the 4 main steps in hemostasis - CORRECT ANSWER - 1.) vasoconstriction: of
blood and vessel occurs. 2.) platelets clumping together: and stick to portion of vessels, called
platelet plus, stop venipuncture site from bleeding. 3.) coagulation/ clotting: clotting factors help
form a fibrin meshwork. Platelet plug become a stable blood clot. 4.) Fibrinolysis: Fibrin
clot/scab disappears when injury is completely healed
Describe the components of the ETS system, how each component is used, and the purpose of
each of the components - CORRECT ANSWER -
Describe the composition of whole blood - CORRECT ANSWER - Blood in the same form as
found in the body. Made up of formed elements suspended in plasma
Describe the different parts of a needle - CORRECT ANSWER - Bevel: Tip of needle, Cut
several time at a slant. Shaft: Most 1 in to 1 1/2 in, 1/2 to 3/4 for butterfly needle. Hub: attaches
to blood collection device
Describe the formed elements composing blood including the purpose of each and alternate
names for each - CORRECT ANSWER - Red blood cells: Also known as erythrocytes, Most
numerous- carry O2 from lungs to cells. White blood cells: also called leukocytes, Fights
infections. Platelets: Also called thrombocytes, important in coagulation.
Describe the purpose of anchoring a vein during venipuncture and explain how to anchor a vein.
- CORRECT ANSWER - To keep the vein from rolling by pulling the skin 1-2 below site
taunt with your thumb. Anchor in with the vein not to the side.
