Special Collections practice questions

Answer: A) Label the tubes at the bedside right after the draw, matching two identifiers to the wristband

Most hemolytic transfusion reactions come from misidentified patients or mislabeled samples. Blood bank tubes must be labeled at the bedside right after collection, using identifiers that match the patient's wristband.

• ACorrect. Pretransfusion specimens are labeled immediately at the bedside after collection. The label must match the wristband's unique identifiers, such as full name and medical record number.
• BIncorrect. Labeling tubes before collection risks putting another patient's blood in a labeled tube. Labeling errors are a leading cause of hemolytic transfusion reactions.
• CIncorrect. Patient identity must be verified against the wristband. A stated name alone is not acceptable for blood bank specimens.
• DIncorrect. Labeling away from the patient breaks positive identification and invites mix-ups. Tubes must be labeled at the bedside.

Answer: C) Deep through the nostril

• AIncorrect. That is an anterior nasal swab, not nasopharyngeal.
• BIncorrect. That is a throat swab.
• CCorrect. The swab goes through the nostril to the back of the nasal passage.
• DIncorrect. The ear is not used for this specimen.

Answer: D) Touching the circles

• AIncorrect. Cards must dry fully before shipping.
• BIncorrect. Heel sticks are standard for newborn screening.
• CIncorrect. Every circle should be filled.
• DCorrect. Fingers or gloves can contaminate the paper.

Answer: D) Hemochromatosis and polycythemia

• AIncorrect. That needs fluid replacement.
• BIncorrect. Removing blood would worsen anemia.
• CIncorrect. That's a clotting disorder.
• DCorrect. It lowers iron or red cell levels.

Answer: A) Blood cultures, when bottles aren't used

• ACorrect. SPS helps preserve bacteria.
• BIncorrect. That's gray.
• CIncorrect. That's light blue.
• DIncorrect. That's tan or royal blue.

Answer: A) Hemoglobin level

• ACorrect. Donors are screened for adequate hemoglobin or hematocrit, along with weight and health history.
• BIncorrect. This is not a standard donor screen.
• CIncorrect. This is not a standard donor screen.
• DIncorrect. This is not a donor screening requirement.

Answer: B) A timed urine collection plus a blood creatinine

• AIncorrect. It uses urine and blood.
• BCorrect. Both are needed to calculate clearance.
• CIncorrect. A timed urine and blood are used.
• DIncorrect. It uses urine and blood creatinine.

Answer: A) Strict ID and chain-of-custody records

• ACorrect. Results may be used legally.
• BIncorrect. Identity must be verified.
• CIncorrect. Fasting isn't needed.
• DIncorrect. Collection follows the testing lab's kit.

Answer: A) Stay seated in the waiting area and do not eat or smoke until the test is finished

During an OGTT the patient must not eat. They should also stay seated and avoid smoking and physical activity between timed draws, because these change blood glucose and would distort the results.

• ACorrect. The patient cannot eat during the test. Physical activity and smoking also change glucose levels, so the patient should rest quietly and stay on site for every timed draw.
• BIncorrect. Walking is physical activity, and muscle activity lowers blood glucose. That would make the timed results look falsely normal.
• CIncorrect. Juice adds sugar and invalidates the test. If the patient has symptoms, the phlebotomist should notify the provider rather than give food or drink.
• DIncorrect. Activity away from the facility can't be controlled and changes glucose levels, so the patient should stay seated on site until the last draw.

Answer: C) Flat and unstacked

• AIncorrect. Stacking causes cross-contamination.
• BIncorrect. Sunlight can damage the sample.
• CCorrect. Cards dry flat for several hours, away from heat and sunlight, without touching other cards.
• DIncorrect. Heat can damage the sample.