Phlebotomy Technician Study Guide For NHA Certification

A hematoma refers to the swelling or mass of blood, often clotted, that occurs when blood leaks from a blood vessel during or after venipuncture. This can happen due to injury or improper technique during the procedure. The blood collects and forms a localized clot, resulting in a hematoma.

The correct answer is the order of draw for NHA is Blood Culture, light blue, red, red-gray/gold tube, green, lavender, gray. This order is important to prevent cross-contamination and ensure accurate test results. Blood cultures are drawn first to minimize the risk of contamination from other tubes. Light blue tubes are used for coagulation tests, followed by red tubes for serum chemistry tests. The red-gray/gold tube is used for serum separator tests, green tubes are used for plasma separator tests, lavender tubes are used for hematology tests, and gray tubes are used for glucose tests. This order ensures that the correct additives are used for each test and prevents any interference between tubes.

A heat block is used to maintain a specific temperature for certain specimens during transportation. Cryofibrinogen is a protein that can precipitate and form clots at low temperatures. Therefore, it needs to be transported in a heat block to prevent clot formation and maintain its integrity. BUN (blood urea nitrogen), PTT (partial thromboplastin time), and bilirubin do not require specific temperature control during transportation, so they would not need to be transported in a heat block.

Malpractice refers to the improper or unskillful care of a patient by a member of the healthcare team. It involves the failure to meet the standard of care expected in the medical profession, resulting in harm or injury to the patient. This can include errors in diagnosis, treatment, medication administration, or surgical procedures. Negligence, on the other hand, refers to the failure to take reasonable care, while professional attitude and proper identification are unrelated to the concept of improper care.

Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when there is inadequate blood flow throughout the body. Symptoms of shock include pale skin, an expressionless face, and cold and clammy skin. These symptoms are caused by a decrease in blood flow and oxygen delivery to the body's tissues. However, a decrease in breathing is not a symptom of shock. In fact, in shock, the body often compensates by increasing the respiratory rate in an attempt to improve oxygenation.

The correct site for an infant heel puncture is the interior side of the heel. This location is chosen because it is less likely to cause damage to important structures such as bones and nerves. Additionally, the interior side of the heel has a good blood supply, making it easier to collect a blood sample for testing.