A phlebotomist is sent to collect a CBC specimen on a 5-year-old pediatric patient. The patient has an IV in the left forearm. The right arm has no palpable veins so the phlebotomist decides to perform capillary puncture on the middle finger of the right hand. This is the phlebotomist’s first job and, although he is quite good at routine venipuncture, he has not performed very many capillary punctures. The child is uncooperative and the mother tries to help steady the child’s hand during the procedure. The phlebotomist is able to puncture the site, but the child pulls the hand away. Blood runs down the finger. The phlebotomist grabs the child’s finger and tries to fill the collection device with the blood as it runs down the finger. The child continues to try to wriggle the finger free. The phlebotomist finally fills the container to the minimum level. When the specimen is tested, the platelet count is abnormally low. A slide is made and platelet clumping is observed. A new specimen is requested. Hemolysis is later observed in the specimen.   Question: How might the circumstances of collection have contributed to the platelet clumping in the specimen?

Complete Textbook Of Phlebotomy
5th Edition
ISBN:9781337464314
Author:Hoeltke
Publisher:Hoeltke
Chapter8: Caring For The Pediatric Patient
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CT
icon
Related questions
Question
A phlebotomist is sent to collect a CBC specimen on a 5-year-old pediatric patient. The patient has an IV in the left forearm. The right arm has no palpable veins so the phlebotomist decides to perform capillary puncture on the middle finger of the right hand. This is the phlebotomist’s first job and, although he is quite good at routine venipuncture, he has not performed very many capillary punctures. The child is uncooperative and the mother tries to help steady the child’s hand during the procedure. The phlebotomist is able to puncture the site, but the child pulls the hand away. Blood runs down the finger. The phlebotomist grabs the child’s finger and tries to fill the collection device with the blood as it runs down the finger. The child continues to try to wriggle the finger free. The phlebotomist finally fills the container to the minimum level. When the specimen is tested, the platelet count is abnormally low. A slide is made and platelet clumping is observed. A new specimen is requested. Hemolysis is later observed in the specimen.   Question: How might the circumstances of collection have contributed to the platelet clumping in the specimen?
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Phlebotomy procedures
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, nursing and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Complete Textbook Of Phlebotomy
Complete Textbook Of Phlebotomy
Biology
ISBN:
9781337464314
Author:
Hoeltke
Publisher:
Cengage
Basic Clinical Laboratory Techniques 6E
Basic Clinical Laboratory Techniques 6E
Biology
ISBN:
9781133893943
Author:
ESTRIDGE
Publisher:
Cengage
Basic Clinical Lab Competencies for Respiratory C…
Basic Clinical Lab Competencies for Respiratory C…
Nursing
ISBN:
9781285244662
Author:
White
Publisher:
Cengage
Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative a…
Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative a…
Nursing
ISBN:
9781305964792
Author:
Wilburta Q. Lindh, Carol D. Tamparo, Barbara M. Dahl, Julie Morris, Cindy Correa
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Principles Of Pharmacology Med Assist
Principles Of Pharmacology Med Assist
Biology
ISBN:
9781337512442
Author:
RICE
Publisher:
Cengage
Biomedical Instrumentation Systems
Biomedical Instrumentation Systems
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781133478294
Author:
Chatterjee
Publisher:
Cengage