Collection of Blood and Non-Blood Specimens| Exam Questions and Answers |Complete
Solutions Graded A+ |100% Correct
Stool Specimens Stool or fecal specimens are collected to test for bacterial or viral intestinal
infections. They may also be used to screen for occult blood, indicative of colorectal cancer.
Semen Specimens Semen specimens are used in fertility testing, to determine the
effectiveness of a vasectomy, or for forensic analysis as part of a rape kit.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Specimens Cerebrospinal fluid, referred to as CSF, is fluid that circulates
in the brain and spinal cord. Testing of this fluid is used to diagnose infections of the central
nervous system, such as meningitis.
Amniotic Fluid Specimens Amniotic fluid is found surrounding the fetus in the amniotic sac
in pregnant women. These specimens are collected through a special procedure known as an
amniocentesis, which may only be performed by a physician.
Throat Culture Most commonly, these samples are used in Strep tests, which can be
performed as either a rapid strep test (POC test) or as a standard bacterial culture in the
laboratory.
Nasal Swab Nasopharyngeal (NP) secretions can be cultured to detect the presence of
microorganisms that cause diseases such as diphtheria, influenza, meningitis, pertussis
(whooping cough), and pneumonia.
Guidelines for accurate specimen labeling Patient's full name, Patient's ID number (if
applicable), Time and date of collection, Phlebotomist's initials.
Vital Signs Blood Pressure: normal BP is less than 120 (Diastolic) and less than 80 (systolic),
Breathing 12 - 18 breaths per minute.
, Vital Signs Pulse 60 - 80 beats per minute at rest, Temperature 97.8 - 99.1 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Temperature sites Rectal 98.6F to 100.6F, Oral 97.6F to 99.6F, Axillary 96.6F to 98.6F,
Tympanic Membrane 98.6F.
Febrile Presence of fever.
Afebrile Absence of fever.
Fever Elevated body temperature beyond normal range.
Intermittent Fluctuating fever that returns to or below baseline then rises again.
Remittent Fluctuating fever that remains elevated; it does not return to baseline
temperature.
Continuous A fever that remains constant above the baseline; it does not fluctuate.
Pyrexia When a patient has an oral temperature of 100.8.
Hyperpyrexia When a patient presents with an oral temperature of 104°F or higher.
Oral temperatures are not taken from the following patients Infants and children less than 6
years old, patients who have had surgery or a facial, neck, or mouth injury, those receiving
oxygen.
Solutions Graded A+ |100% Correct
Stool Specimens Stool or fecal specimens are collected to test for bacterial or viral intestinal
infections. They may also be used to screen for occult blood, indicative of colorectal cancer.
Semen Specimens Semen specimens are used in fertility testing, to determine the
effectiveness of a vasectomy, or for forensic analysis as part of a rape kit.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Specimens Cerebrospinal fluid, referred to as CSF, is fluid that circulates
in the brain and spinal cord. Testing of this fluid is used to diagnose infections of the central
nervous system, such as meningitis.
Amniotic Fluid Specimens Amniotic fluid is found surrounding the fetus in the amniotic sac
in pregnant women. These specimens are collected through a special procedure known as an
amniocentesis, which may only be performed by a physician.
Throat Culture Most commonly, these samples are used in Strep tests, which can be
performed as either a rapid strep test (POC test) or as a standard bacterial culture in the
laboratory.
Nasal Swab Nasopharyngeal (NP) secretions can be cultured to detect the presence of
microorganisms that cause diseases such as diphtheria, influenza, meningitis, pertussis
(whooping cough), and pneumonia.
Guidelines for accurate specimen labeling Patient's full name, Patient's ID number (if
applicable), Time and date of collection, Phlebotomist's initials.
Vital Signs Blood Pressure: normal BP is less than 120 (Diastolic) and less than 80 (systolic),
Breathing 12 - 18 breaths per minute.
, Vital Signs Pulse 60 - 80 beats per minute at rest, Temperature 97.8 - 99.1 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Temperature sites Rectal 98.6F to 100.6F, Oral 97.6F to 99.6F, Axillary 96.6F to 98.6F,
Tympanic Membrane 98.6F.
Febrile Presence of fever.
Afebrile Absence of fever.
Fever Elevated body temperature beyond normal range.
Intermittent Fluctuating fever that returns to or below baseline then rises again.
Remittent Fluctuating fever that remains elevated; it does not return to baseline
temperature.
Continuous A fever that remains constant above the baseline; it does not fluctuate.
Pyrexia When a patient has an oral temperature of 100.8.
Hyperpyrexia When a patient presents with an oral temperature of 104°F or higher.
Oral temperatures are not taken from the following patients Infants and children less than 6
years old, patients who have had surgery or a facial, neck, or mouth injury, those receiving
oxygen.
