Reference no: EM134008862
Collect pathology specimens other than blood
Assessment Task 1: Knowledge Questions
As a pathology collector, briefly summarise in dot point form or sentences, what you need to consider in each of these circumstances in terms of legal and ethical boundaries. Try to include at least 2 points per circumstance.
You might include training requirements, professional registration, laws and regulations, etc.
Circumstances:
Children in your workplace
Duty of care
Informed consent
Mandatory reporting
Privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
Records management
Work Health and Safety
Think about your work role boundaries as a pathology collector.
In your own words, explain your understanding of the following concepts (2-3 sentences each). You might like to use examples or scenarios to explain your understanding.
a. Boundaries of responsibilities
b. Who can order nonblood samples? Name two (2).
c. What other health services might be involved in requesting nonblood samples? Consider why a client might be required to provide e.g. semen sample, urine sample. Name at least two (2).
Think about work health and safety as a pathology collector taking nonblood sample collections. List at least one (1) thing you should do or not do, in relation to each of the following considerations:
a. Hand hygiene
b. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
c. Avoiding contact with bodily fluids
d. Sharps injury prevention
e. Waste disposal
Complete the following table correctly naming each piece of equipment.
What do the following abbreviations used in nonblood collection stand for?
MCS
PCR
UA
Write down the steps you would take to perform a buccal (cheek) DNA swab. You may refer to concepts related to RNA and DNA during specimen collection.
Write down the steps you would take to perform a PCR test.
A client asks you to explain, in basic terms, the structure of the nasal passages. What would you say?
A client asks you to explain, in basic terms, the structure of the skin. What would you say? Basic understanding from Anatomy Biology may assist in explaining these structures.
Identify two (2) clinical risks associated with nonblood collection. Outline at least 2 recommended procedures to minimise these risks.
In one or two sentences or dot point form, describe how each of the following may affect the chemical analysis of specimens and how they might impact on specimen collection:
a. Appropriate times to collect
b. Timing of last dose
c. Required fasting times
d. Protecting the integrity of the specimen
Describe in dot point form one feature, one (1) function, and one (1) use, of the following collection equipment:
a. Sterile jars
b. 24 hour urine containers with and without additives
c. Swabs - including viral, bacterial, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) swabs
d. Paediatric urine collection bag
e. Breath collection balloons
f. Skin scraping equipment
g. Nail clipping and scraping equipment
Collection and handling of viral and bacterial swabs may involve knowledge from Microbiology and infection control procedures.
Complete the table below by writing dot points or short sentences to explain handling and storage methods.
Sample Types:
Urine
Stool
CASE STUDIES
Case Study A
A patient arrives at an outpatient lab with a 24-hour urine specimen. The specimen container is properly labelled and appears to hold a normal volume of urine. In speaking with the patient, however, the pathology collector learns that the patient did not include the final morning specimen because he woke up several hours past the 24-hour collection deadline.
Questions:
Should you collect the specimen? Why or why not?
What instructions could you give to ensure a properly handled 24-hour specimen?
Case Study B
A client collapsed near the toilet when returning after collecting a urine sample. He was conscious but complained of dizziness and vague vision.
Question:
How should you respond to this situation?
Case Study C
A client has presented in your clinical setting with gastroenteritis and flu.
Question:
What additional precautions could you adopt in this situation?
Assessment Task 2 - Simulation Based Assessment Tasks / Scenarios
Task 1
An adult client is waiting at your pathology clinic for you to take:
A urea breath test
A mid-stream urine specimen
A respiratory swab for bacterial testing
You must also demonstrate how differently you would collect a swab for:
Viral testing
PCR testing
Scenario details:
Client is obese
Requires two-person assist for ambulation
Can bear weight and stand for some time
Currently unaccompanied
Perform specimen collection for requested tests.
Task 2
An adult client requires:
Nail clipping
Nail scraping
Skin scraping from two different sites
DNA swab from cheek
Task 3
An adult client requires collection of:
Urea breath specimen
Saliva specimen
Semen specimen
Sputum specimen
Stool specimen
You must explain the collection process for semen, stool and sputum specimens. General concepts from Biology may support understanding of specimen handling and testing procedures.
Task 4
A toddler (1.5 years old boy) and his mother present for urine specimen collection using a paediatric urine bag.
Scenario details:
Flu season
Toddler and mother are coughing
Demonstrate urine collection on a child manikin.
Assessment Task 3 - Work Integrated Learning Task(s)
You must undertake the following activities under supervision in a collection role for at least 18 hours per fortnight.
You must complete specimen collection procedures for a minimum of five (5) different specimen types selected from:
Aspirates
Breath
DNA swabs
Nail clippings and/or scrapings
Saliva
Semen
Skin scrapings
Sputum
Stool
Swabs - bacterial, viral and PCR
Urine
For each collection you must:
Confirm collection requirements
Prepare client and equipment
Make routine pathology specimen collections
Follow infection control and safety procedures
Complete specimen collection log
Obtain facilitator verification