Phlebotomy Skills Assessment: Venipuncture and Skin Puncture Techniques

1. What is the definition of the term 'calcaneus'?

Rib Bone

Heel Bone

Wrist Bone

Hip Bone

The calcaneus is the bone located in the heel of the foot, providing support and structure for the body's weight during movement.

Explanation

The calcaneus is the bone located in the heel of the foot, providing support and structure for the body's weight during movement.

2. What is PKU?

A type of high-protein diet

A neurological disorder affecting the brain

A hereditary inability to metabolized phenylalanine

An autoimmune disease attacking the pancreas

PKU stands for Phenylketonuria, which is a hereditary condition that affects the body's ability to break down the amino acid phenylalanine. This results in a buildup of phenylalanine in the body, which can lead to intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and other health issues if not managed through a restricted diet.

Explanation

PKU stands for Phenylketonuria, which is a hereditary condition that affects the body's ability to break down the amino acid phenylalanine. This results in a buildup of phenylalanine in the body, which can lead to intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and other health issues if not managed through a restricted diet.

3. What is the purpose of warming the site before skin puncture?

It helps in drying up excess blood after puncture.

It numbs the area for less pain during puncture.

It increases blood flow 7 time

It decreases the risk of infection.

Warming the site before skin puncture increases blood flow which can make it easier to collect a blood sample.

Explanation

Warming the site before skin puncture increases blood flow which can make it easier to collect a blood sample.

4. What is the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute ( CLSI ) recommended maximum depth of heel puncture?

2.0 mm

1.5 mm

3.5 mm

0.5 mm

The CLSI recommends a maximum depth of 2.0 mm for heel punctures to ensure accurate and safe blood sample collection.

Explanation

The CLSI recommends a maximum depth of 2.0 mm for heel punctures to ensure accurate and safe blood sample collection.

5. Why should a laboratory report form indicate the fact that a specimen has been collected by skin puncture?

Because skin puncture is less painful for the patient compared to other methods.

Because skin puncture is the most common method for specimen collection.

Because other methods of collection are not as effective as skin puncture.

Because test result may vary depending on method of collection

Indicating the method of specimen collection is crucial as it can impact the test results. Different collection methods can yield different results, therefore it is important for the laboratory report form to accurately reflect how the specimen was collected to ensure proper interpretation of test results.

Explanation

Indicating the method of specimen collection is crucial as it can impact the test results. Different collection methods can yield different results, therefore it is important for the laboratory report form to accurately reflect how the specimen was collected to ensure proper interpretation of test results.

6. Which of the following is the safest area for infant heel puncture?

Around the ankle area

The lateral plantar surface

The tip of the heel

The top of the foot

Infant heel puncture is commonly performed for blood tests, and the lateral plantar surface is considered the safest area due to the higher levels of blood flow and nerve density in this area, which reduces the risk of complications.

Explanation

Infant heel puncture is commonly performed for blood tests, and the lateral plantar surface is considered the safest area due to the higher levels of blood flow and nerve density in this area, which reduces the risk of complications.

7. A skin puncture should be done rather than venipunture in all the following situation EXCEPT:

When multiple tests need to be performed.

When the light blue stopper tube is needed

When a larger volume of blood is needed.

When the patient has fragile veins.

In situations where a larger volume of blood is required, or the patient has fragile veins, or multiple tests need to be performed, venipuncture may be preferred over a skin puncture.

Explanation

In situations where a larger volume of blood is required, or the patient has fragile veins, or multiple tests need to be performed, venipuncture may be preferred over a skin puncture.

8. What type of blood does skin puncture blood most closely resemble?

Capillary Blood

Venous Blood

Arterial Blood

Lymphatic Fluid

Skin puncture blood is typically oxygenated and closely resembles arterial blood, which carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body tissues.

Explanation

Skin puncture blood is typically oxygenated and closely resembles arterial blood, which carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body tissues.

9. Why is it necessary to control the depth of lancet insertion during skin puncture?

To enhance skin sensation

To minimize pain

Bone Injury

To prevent blood clotting

Controlling the depth of lancet insertion during skin puncture is crucial to avoid bone injury as piercing too deeply can lead to bone damage.

Explanation

Controlling the depth of lancet insertion during skin puncture is crucial to avoid bone injury as piercing too deeply can lead to bone damage.

10. Which is the best tube for collecting an ethanol specimen?

Sodium fluorid

Heparin

EDTA

Citrate

Sodium fluoride is the preferred tube for collecting an ethanol specimen as it helps preserve the ethanol levels in the sample without affecting its integrity.

Explanation

Sodium fluoride is the preferred tube for collecting an ethanol specimen as it helps preserve the ethanol levels in the sample without affecting its integrity.

11. Which needle gauge has the largest lumen?

25

18

28

22

In intravenous therapy, the larger the gauge number, the smaller the lumen size. Therefore, a needle gauge of 18 has the largest lumen among the options provided.

Explanation

In intravenous therapy, the larger the gauge number, the smaller the lumen size. Therefore, a needle gauge of 18 has the largest lumen among the options provided.

12. Why are EDTA specimens obtained before other specimens were collected by skin puncture?

D. To minimize the effects of platelets clumping.

A. To ensure accurate blood glucose levels.

B. To reduce the risk of hemolysis in the specimen.

C. To prevent contamination from skin flora.

To minimize effects of platelets clumping

EDTA specimens should be obtained first before other specimens when collected by skin puncture to minimize the effects of platelets clumping, which could interfere with accurate testing of other blood components.

Explanation

EDTA specimens should be obtained first before other specimens when collected by skin puncture to minimize the effects of platelets clumping, which could interfere with accurate testing of other blood components.

13. Skin puncture blood reference value (normal) are higher for

Glucose

Lipase

Potassium

Hemoglobin

Skin puncture blood reference values for glucose are typically higher than for hemoglobin, potassium, and lipase.

Explanation

Skin puncture blood reference values for glucose are typically higher than for hemoglobin, potassium, and lipase.