PRM2 LAB FINALS

• Capillary sampling refers to the sampling of blood from a puncture on the finger, heel or earlobe
• Also known as fingerstick sampling
• it is less invasive, requires smaller amounts of blood volume and it can be performed quickly and easily
• This may be performed on patients of any age for specific tests that require small quantities of blood. However, it is commonly used in pediatric patients
• s. Capillary blood sampling has now become increasingly being used worldwide due to the growing availability of point-of-care (POC) testing
• In order to collect blood with a capillary tube, the appropriate site must be cleaned and punctured with a lancet
• Usually the third or fourth finger is preferred in adults and children.
• The thumb has a pulse and is likely to bleed excessively
• The index finger can be calloused or sensitive
• the little finger does not have enough tissue to prevent hitting the bone with the lancet
• The puncture is done to the left or right of the midline of the palmar surface of the fingertip, staying away from the fingernail.
• Just like the little finger in adults, the fingers of infants less than one year old are too tiny to prick that is why the heel is used.
• The puncture is done on the farthest lateral or medial aspect of the plantar surface of the heel, not on the bottom
• Punctures done on the plantar surface can damage cartilage or bone.
• The big toe can be used if necessary in infants who are not yet walking
• Callous formation after a child starts walking can interfere with blood collection and is a contraindication.
• Only the great toe has the amount of tissue necessary to protect the bone from injury.
• Other collection sites include the ear lobe, but is no longer recommended. Studies have shown that the blood flow in the ear lobe is less than that in either the fingertip or the heel
• the ear lobe can still be used if no other site is available
• he other alternative site are the palms
• Especially in diabetics who test their own blood sugars frequently, alternate sites give some relief from reusing the same sites over and over.

  The thenar and hypothenar eminences have capillary circulation equivalent to the fingertip
• • If using the flat-tipped lancet, position the lancet perpendicular to the ridges of the finger
• Wipe away the first drop of blood because it may be contaminated with tissue fluid or debris (sloughing skin)
• Avoid squeezing the finger or heel too tightly because this dilutes the specimen with tissue fluid (plasma) and increases the probability of hemolysis
• With skin punctures, collect the specimens in the order below,

  starting with:

  hematology specimens

  chemistry specimens

  blood bank specimens
• The word ' neonatal ' means newborn, or the first 28 days of life.
• Pediatrics is the branch of medicine dealing with the health and medical care of infants, children, and adolescents from birth up to the age of 18
• Gently dip the other end of the tube in clay 2 – 3 times, ensure that the clay is securely tight in the tube
• Follow it up with a paraffin seal. Similar to clay, make sure that the paraffin seal is secured tightly.
• General Precautions in specimen collection for bacteriologic and chemical examinations:

  1. The specimen must be material from the actual infection site and must be collected with a minimum of contamination from adjacent tissues, organs, or secretions.
  2. Optimal times and total number of specimens for collection must be established for the best chance of recovery of the causative organism
  3. A sufficient quantity of specimen must be obtained
  4. Use of appropriate collection devices
  5. Time
• Routine urinalysis (UA) is one of the most frequently requested laboratory procedures at because it can provide a useful indication of body health. It can be performed on a "first morning" or random urine specimen. Various diseases and disorders can be detected through a routine UA
• Appropriate containers for urine: include plastic disposable cups or bags (for infants) with a capacity of 50 ml
• Transport the container to the laboratory within an hour. If transportation or analysis cannot occur within this time period, refrigerate the urine
• First Urine of the Morning

  Description: This urine excretion is the most concentrated.

  Uses: Protein, nitrite, microscopic analysis and routine urinalysis
• Random Urine

  Description: This type of specimen is most convenient to obtain.

  Uses: Routine urinalysis
• Clean-Catch Mid-stream Urine

  Description: The specimen is free of contamination.

  Uses: Routine urinalysis. Culture for bacteria and/or microscopic analysis.
• Timed Urine Specimens (e.g., 2-hour, 4-hour, 24-hour)

  Description: The excretion rate of the analyte can be determined.

  Uses: Creatinine clearance test, urobilinogen determinations, hormone studies.
• Rectal swabs can also be used for the detection of the organisms causing food poisoning and dysentery. These swabs are of the same type as those used for wound, nose and throat.
• PUNCTURE FLUIDS : Large quantities of material for microbiological investigation are usually taken by syringe and may be transferred directly from this syringe to a sterile bottle.
• FECES : Specimens of stools for examination should be sent in a clean out sterile bottles which may be subsequently disposed.