Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
Which of the following tests is performed to identify bacteremia?
A. Glucose tolerance test
A glucose tolerance test is used to diagnose diabetes by measuring the body's response to glucose over a period of time. It is not used to identify bacteremia, which is the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.
B. Peripheral blood smear
A peripheral blood smear involves examining a sample of blood under a microscope to look for abnormalities in blood cells. While it can reveal signs of infection, it does not specifically identify bacteremia.
C. Blood culture
A blood culture is the primary test used to detect bacteremia. It involves taking a sample of blood and incubating it to see if bacteria grow, which would indicate the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.
D. Lactic acid
Lactic acid levels in the blood are measured to assess the severity of sepsis, a condition that can result from bacteremia. Elevated lactic acid can indicate that tissues are not getting enough oxygen, but the test itself does not identify bacteremia.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Phlebotomy Certification Proctored Exam 130. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A Reason:
A glucose tolerance test is used to diagnose diabetes by measuring the body's response to glucose over a period of time. It is not used to identify bacteremia, which is the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.
Choice B Reason:
A peripheral blood smear involves examining a sample of blood under a microscope to look for abnormalities in blood cells. While it can reveal signs of infection, it does not specifically identify bacteremia.
Choice C Reason:
A blood culture is the primary test used to detect bacteremia. It involves taking a sample of blood and incubating it to see if bacteria grow, which would indicate the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.
Choice D Reason:
Lactic acid levels in the blood are measured to assess the severity of sepsis, a condition that can result from bacteremia. Elevated lactic acid can indicate that tissues are not getting enough oxygen, but the test itself does not identify bacteremia.
Similar Questions
Which of the following purposes is served by anchoring the selected vein for a venipuncture using a winged infusion set?
A. Eliminates the need for a tourniquet
Anchoring the vein does not eliminate the need for a tourniquet. The tourniquet is applied to engorge the veins, making them more prominent and easier to puncture. Anchoring is a technique used after the tourniquet has already accomplished this task.
B. Reduces the pain of needle insertion
While anchoring the vein can provide a more stable area for needle insertion, which might indirectly reduce pain, its primary purpose is not pain reduction. Pain during needle insertion is more directly influenced by the needle gauge, angle of insertion, and the phlebotomist's technique.
C. Improves vein identification
Improving vein identification is not the direct purpose of anchoring. Vein identification is typically done visually and by palpation before the application of the tourniquet and before anchoring the vein. Anchoring is performed to stabilize the vein once it has been identified.
D. Minimizes vein movement
The primary purpose of anchoring the vein is to minimize its movement during venipuncture. This is important because it helps prevent the needle from slipping out of or through the vein, which can cause discomfort and bruising, and may require another puncture attempt.
Full Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Anchoring the vein does not eliminate the need for a tourniquet. The tourniquet is applied to engorge the veins, making them more prominent and easier to puncture. Anchoring is a technique used after the tourniquet has already accomplished this task.
Choice B Reason:
While anchoring the vein can provide a more stable area for needle insertion, which might indirectly reduce pain, its primary purpose is not pain reduction. Pain during needle insertion is more directly influenced by the needle gauge, angle of insertion, and the phlebotomist's technique.
Choice C Reason:
Improving vein identification is not the direct purpose of anchoring. Vein identification is typically done visually and by palpation before the application of the tourniquet and before anchoring the vein. Anchoring is performed to stabilize the vein once it has been identified.
Choice D Reason:
The primary purpose of anchoring the vein is to minimize its movement during venipuncture. This is important because it helps prevent the needle from slipping out of or through the vein, which can cause discomfort and bruising, and may require another puncture attempt.
Which of the following actions is included in aseptic technique when a phlebotomist is performing a venipuncture on a patient?
A. Disposing of contaminated materials
Disposing of contaminated materials is a part of standard infection control practices. While it is important to dispose of materials that may be contaminated with blood or bodily fluids properly, this action is not specific to the aseptic technique used during venipuncture.
B. Performing hand hygiene once daily
Performing hand hygiene once daily is not sufficient for maintaining aseptic technique. Aseptic technique requires hand hygiene before and after each patient contact, especially before procedures like venipuncture to prevent the transmission of pathogens.
C. Completing quality control procedures
Completing quality control procedures is an essential part of laboratory practice and patient safety but is not directly related to the aseptic technique of venipuncture. Quality control ensures the accuracy and reliability of test results rather than preventing infection.
D. Cleansing skin with sodium hypochlorite
Cleansing the skin with sodium hypochlorite, or a similar disinfectant, is a critical step in aseptic technique for venipuncture. This action reduces the microbial load on the skin, thereby minimizing the risk of introducing pathogens into the bloodstream during needle insertion.
Full Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Disposing of contaminated materials is a part of standard infection control practices. While it is important to dispose of materials that may be contaminated with blood or bodily fluids properly, this action is not specific to the aseptic technique used during venipuncture.
Choice B Reason:
Performing hand hygiene once daily is not sufficient for maintaining aseptic technique. Aseptic technique requires hand hygiene before and after each patient contact, especially before procedures like venipuncture to prevent the transmission of pathogens.
Choice C Reason:
Completing quality control procedures is an essential part of laboratory practice and patient safety but is not directly related to the aseptic technique of venipuncture. Quality control ensures the accuracy and reliability of test results rather than preventing infection.
Choice D Reason:
Cleansing the skin with sodium hypochlorite, or a similar disinfectant, is a critical step in aseptic technique for venipuncture. This action reduces the microbial load on the skin, thereby minimizing the risk of introducing pathogens into the bloodstream during needle insertion.
A phlebotomist reports a stat result to a provider by verbal report. What should the phlebotomist include in the follow-up documentation?
A. Patient's insurance information
Patient's insurance information is not typically included in the follow-up documentation of a stat result. Insurance information is relevant for billing purposes and does not pertain to the immediate clinical care or the communication of test results.
B. Room number of the patient
The room number of the patient might be included in the internal documentation for logistical purposes but is not the primary piece of information required following a verbal report of a stat result. The focus should be on the communication details rather than the location.
C. Name of the provider contacted
The name of the provider contacted is essential information in the follow-up documentation after a verbal report. This ensures that there is a record of who received the information, which is crucial for accountability and continuity of care.
D. Provider's phone number
The provider's phone number is not necessary in the follow-up documentation if the name of the provider is already included. The phone number would have been used to make the initial contact, and the key information is the confirmation that the provider was reached and informed of the stat result.
Full Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Patient's insurance information is not typically included in the follow-up documentation of a stat result. Insurance information is relevant for billing purposes and does not pertain to the immediate clinical care or the communication of test results.
Choice B Reason:
The room number of the patient might be included in the internal documentation for logistical purposes but is not the primary piece of information required following a verbal report of a stat result. The focus should be on the communication details rather than the location.
Choice C Reason:
The name of the provider contacted is essential information in the follow-up documentation after a verbal report. This ensures that there is a record of who received the information, which is crucial for accountability and continuity of care.
Choice D Reason:
The provider's phone number is not necessary in the follow-up documentation if the name of the provider is already included. The phone number would have been used to make the initial contact, and the key information is the confirmation that the provider was reached and informed of the stat result.