AMCA national phlebotomy review
Questions and Answers
1. Professionalism and Regulatory Compliance
1.01 Present a professional appearance and a positive attitude.
Professional appearance for Phlebotomists - -• Stickers, pins, or other types
of tokens should not cover the employee or department name.
• Clean, wrinkle-free clothes, scrubs, or uniform that are in good condition.
• Shoes must be comfortable, safe in the work environment, clean, and
polished.
• Sandals and flip-flops are not permitted.
• Hair should be clean, neat, and trimmed.
➢ Shoulder-length hair should be pulled back and secured.
• Nails should be clean and neatly manicured.
• Minimize or eliminate the use of fragrance.
• Make-up should be lightly applied.
• If jewelry is worn, it must be worn inside the collar. Long dangling earrings
are not
acceptable.
Positive attitude
• Smile and pleasant can-do attitude.
- 1.02 Act with integrity and respect towards others. Showing integrity and
respect towards patients - -Integrity
➢ As a concept it has to do with a personal feeling of "wholeness" derived
from honesty
and consistency of character; this can be seen in the person's actions,
values, and beliefs. Professional standards of integrity or honesty require a
person to do what is right regardless of the circumstances and in all
situations and interaction. For example, a phlebotomist often functions
independently and may be tempted to take procedural shortcuts when
pressed for time. A phlebotomist with integrity understands that following
the rules for collection is essential to the quality of test results.
• Respect
➢ It is shown in both a positive feeling for a person and in specific action
demonstrating
that positive feeling. It is an attitude that conveys an understanding of the
importance of that person as an individual. Believing that all people are
worthy of respect at some level is extremely important in healthcare
communication. The effect of honoring and respecting the person as a
unique individual is confirmation of the patient's presence and needs.
- 1.03 Display empathy and compassion towards others. - -It is important to
monitor the patient's comfort and safety during and after collection
,procedures. Adhering to the following guidelines will help ensure the
patient's comfort and safety:
• Explain the procedure and get the patient's consent to continue.
• Never draw blood from a patient who is standing or sitting on a high stool.
• Ask the patient if he or she has ever had blood drawn before. If so, ask if he
or she has
had any complications in the past such as experiencing dizziness, syncope,
or trouble finding a vein, etc. You may also ask if the patient has a
preference of which arm to use.
• Position the patient properly by ensuring that his or her elbow is straight
and supported underneath.
• Confirm with the patient if he or she is taking any anticoagulants, such as
warfarin, heparin, or aspirin, as these affect bleeding time and will require
extra compression to stop the bleeding after the draw.
• Try to calm nervous patients and relieve anxiety by making small talk.
• Monitor and note any changes to the patient's condition and immediately
inform the
supervisor of any abnormalities or changes. Noteworthy events include, but
may not be limited to:
➢ A change in the patient's state of consciousness, such as dizziness or
syncope.
➢ Excessive bleeding time.
➢ If the patient experiences extreme pain, or any other symptoms that were
not present prior to the blood draw.
- 1.06 Demonstrate respect for diversity. - -How to demonstrate respect for
diversity
• Approach all patients with a smile and use a friendly tone of voice.
• Be alert to patient reactions to your approach and direct your actions to
accommodate
them. Do not force your style on them.
• Do not stereotype a particular culture; not all people of same ethnic culture
react in the
same manner.
• The amount of personal space varies not only among people but also
among cultures.
Certain cultures are not as welcoming to touching as we might expect them
to be. Other cultures may reach for you while you are talking.Plan to spend
additional time explaining procedures and patient instructions. Be sure
instructions are understood by asking the patient to repeat the instructions
back to you. In some cultures, nodding is considered a sign of politeness and
not understanding.
• Above all, show respect for their diversity.
- 1.07 Perform tasks within the scope of practice of a phlebotomy technician.
- -Tasks within the scope of practice of a phlebotomy technician include:
, • Correct identification and preparation of the patient before sample
collection.
• Collection of the appropriate amount of blood by venipuncture or dermal
puncture for
the specified.
• Selection of the appropriate sample containers for the specified tests.
• Correct labeling of all samples with the required information.
• Appropriate transportation of samples back to the laboratory in a timely
manner.
• Effective interaction with patients and hospital personnel.
• Processing of samples for delivery to the appropriate laboratory.
• Performance of computer operations and record-keeping pertaining to
phlebotomy.
• Observation of all safety regulations, quality control checks, and preventive
maintenance
procedure.
- 1.08 Demonstrate respect for patient's rights under The Patient Care
Partnership (formerly Patient's Bill of Rights). - -The Phlebotomists Role
Your role as a phlebotomist is vital to today's allied health care field. You will
be entering a field that has a great need for trained professionals. You will
also meet many obstacles and challenges both mentally and physically.
Maintaining a good sense of ethics is extremely important in the medical
field. Phlebotomists perform routine tasks in a wide variety of locations such
as hospitals, medical offices, and clinics. The Phlebotomist should only
perform the range of activities that is within their scope of practice. Some of
those tasks include patient identification, patient preparation, blood
collection, and patient assessment after the phlebotomy procedure. They
should not be confused with medical laboratory clinicians who typically have
a degree in a biological science.
Clinical duties vary according to state law and the phlebotomist should only
perform those tasks which are in their identified scope of practice.
Ethics is the knowledge of what is right conduct versus what is wrong
conduct. There are also choices involved in ethics which may have more to
do with morals. Ethical behavior is never prejudiced or biased. For example,
you may have to make a choice regarding a co-worker or even a patient.
- Part 2 of 1.08 Demonstrate respect for patient's rights under The Patient
Care Partnership (formerly Patient's Bill of Rights). - -A co-worker of yours is
consistently late. He/she often asks you to cover for him/her when he/she is
late. She asks you not to tell and she will return the favor if you are ever
going to be late. What would you do?
• You suspect a patient is being abused. He/she has bruises all over his/her
body. The explanation given regarding those bruises is weak. What should
you do?
Questions and Answers
1. Professionalism and Regulatory Compliance
1.01 Present a professional appearance and a positive attitude.
Professional appearance for Phlebotomists - -• Stickers, pins, or other types
of tokens should not cover the employee or department name.
• Clean, wrinkle-free clothes, scrubs, or uniform that are in good condition.
• Shoes must be comfortable, safe in the work environment, clean, and
polished.
• Sandals and flip-flops are not permitted.
• Hair should be clean, neat, and trimmed.
➢ Shoulder-length hair should be pulled back and secured.
• Nails should be clean and neatly manicured.
• Minimize or eliminate the use of fragrance.
• Make-up should be lightly applied.
• If jewelry is worn, it must be worn inside the collar. Long dangling earrings
are not
acceptable.
Positive attitude
• Smile and pleasant can-do attitude.
- 1.02 Act with integrity and respect towards others. Showing integrity and
respect towards patients - -Integrity
➢ As a concept it has to do with a personal feeling of "wholeness" derived
from honesty
and consistency of character; this can be seen in the person's actions,
values, and beliefs. Professional standards of integrity or honesty require a
person to do what is right regardless of the circumstances and in all
situations and interaction. For example, a phlebotomist often functions
independently and may be tempted to take procedural shortcuts when
pressed for time. A phlebotomist with integrity understands that following
the rules for collection is essential to the quality of test results.
• Respect
➢ It is shown in both a positive feeling for a person and in specific action
demonstrating
that positive feeling. It is an attitude that conveys an understanding of the
importance of that person as an individual. Believing that all people are
worthy of respect at some level is extremely important in healthcare
communication. The effect of honoring and respecting the person as a
unique individual is confirmation of the patient's presence and needs.
- 1.03 Display empathy and compassion towards others. - -It is important to
monitor the patient's comfort and safety during and after collection
,procedures. Adhering to the following guidelines will help ensure the
patient's comfort and safety:
• Explain the procedure and get the patient's consent to continue.
• Never draw blood from a patient who is standing or sitting on a high stool.
• Ask the patient if he or she has ever had blood drawn before. If so, ask if he
or she has
had any complications in the past such as experiencing dizziness, syncope,
or trouble finding a vein, etc. You may also ask if the patient has a
preference of which arm to use.
• Position the patient properly by ensuring that his or her elbow is straight
and supported underneath.
• Confirm with the patient if he or she is taking any anticoagulants, such as
warfarin, heparin, or aspirin, as these affect bleeding time and will require
extra compression to stop the bleeding after the draw.
• Try to calm nervous patients and relieve anxiety by making small talk.
• Monitor and note any changes to the patient's condition and immediately
inform the
supervisor of any abnormalities or changes. Noteworthy events include, but
may not be limited to:
➢ A change in the patient's state of consciousness, such as dizziness or
syncope.
➢ Excessive bleeding time.
➢ If the patient experiences extreme pain, or any other symptoms that were
not present prior to the blood draw.
- 1.06 Demonstrate respect for diversity. - -How to demonstrate respect for
diversity
• Approach all patients with a smile and use a friendly tone of voice.
• Be alert to patient reactions to your approach and direct your actions to
accommodate
them. Do not force your style on them.
• Do not stereotype a particular culture; not all people of same ethnic culture
react in the
same manner.
• The amount of personal space varies not only among people but also
among cultures.
Certain cultures are not as welcoming to touching as we might expect them
to be. Other cultures may reach for you while you are talking.Plan to spend
additional time explaining procedures and patient instructions. Be sure
instructions are understood by asking the patient to repeat the instructions
back to you. In some cultures, nodding is considered a sign of politeness and
not understanding.
• Above all, show respect for their diversity.
- 1.07 Perform tasks within the scope of practice of a phlebotomy technician.
- -Tasks within the scope of practice of a phlebotomy technician include:
, • Correct identification and preparation of the patient before sample
collection.
• Collection of the appropriate amount of blood by venipuncture or dermal
puncture for
the specified.
• Selection of the appropriate sample containers for the specified tests.
• Correct labeling of all samples with the required information.
• Appropriate transportation of samples back to the laboratory in a timely
manner.
• Effective interaction with patients and hospital personnel.
• Processing of samples for delivery to the appropriate laboratory.
• Performance of computer operations and record-keeping pertaining to
phlebotomy.
• Observation of all safety regulations, quality control checks, and preventive
maintenance
procedure.
- 1.08 Demonstrate respect for patient's rights under The Patient Care
Partnership (formerly Patient's Bill of Rights). - -The Phlebotomists Role
Your role as a phlebotomist is vital to today's allied health care field. You will
be entering a field that has a great need for trained professionals. You will
also meet many obstacles and challenges both mentally and physically.
Maintaining a good sense of ethics is extremely important in the medical
field. Phlebotomists perform routine tasks in a wide variety of locations such
as hospitals, medical offices, and clinics. The Phlebotomist should only
perform the range of activities that is within their scope of practice. Some of
those tasks include patient identification, patient preparation, blood
collection, and patient assessment after the phlebotomy procedure. They
should not be confused with medical laboratory clinicians who typically have
a degree in a biological science.
Clinical duties vary according to state law and the phlebotomist should only
perform those tasks which are in their identified scope of practice.
Ethics is the knowledge of what is right conduct versus what is wrong
conduct. There are also choices involved in ethics which may have more to
do with morals. Ethical behavior is never prejudiced or biased. For example,
you may have to make a choice regarding a co-worker or even a patient.
- Part 2 of 1.08 Demonstrate respect for patient's rights under The Patient
Care Partnership (formerly Patient's Bill of Rights). - -A co-worker of yours is
consistently late. He/she often asks you to cover for him/her when he/she is
late. She asks you not to tell and she will return the favor if you are ever
going to be late. What would you do?
• You suspect a patient is being abused. He/she has bruises all over his/her
body. The explanation given regarding those bruises is weak. What should
you do?
