PLAB Phlebotomy Technician Program Unit 8 Objectives

List and describe 10 problems and/or complications which may arise during or after a blood collection procedure.
Describe the care to be given to a patient who has fainted.
State the cause of hematomas and patient treatment.
State the reason why laboratory samples must never be collected from above an IV site.
Define “basal state”.
State why specimens drawn during the basal state are preferred.
List 5 tests which should be drawn during the basal state.
Describe the effects of diet, exercise, stress, diurnal rhythms and posture on the composition of blood specimens.
List the instructions to give to a patient when a fasting specimen is required.
Define “lipemia” and state the cause.
State the maximum time a tourniquet may be left on the arm.
Lists three laboratory tests which may be affected by having patients pump their fist.
State the purpose of using a tourniquet for blood collection.
Describe testing interferences associated with tourniquet pressure.
List 5 potential causes of hemoconcentration.
List 5 laboratory tests which may be adversely affected by excessive hemoconcentration and how they are affected (increase/decrease).
List 4 laboratory tests which may be adversely affected by the presence of hemolysis.
Discuss the physiologic and geographical factors which may affect laboratory results.
State organ systems which may be affected by drugs and how this can affect laboratory results.

Last Update: May 7, 2009