PMLS#18

• Bilirubin is a very light-sensitive chemical and is rapidly destroyed when exposed to light.
• Hyperbilirubinemia may be caused by Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN) where the liver of newborn is not often developed (premature)to process bilirubin produced from the breakdown of RBCs
• Kernicterus, a condition in newborn where excess indirect bilirubin in the blood (around 18-20mg/dL) goes to the brain damaging it
• Arterial blood - preferred sample for blood gasses
• A blood smear prepared from an EDTA specimen should be made... Within 1 hour of specimen collection
• Standard Bleeding Time called the Ivy Method is performed by making incision on the volar surface of the forearm, and inflating a blood pressure cuff to 40 mmHg to control blood flow to the area