Reference no: EM134010341

Assessment Item 1 – Knowledge Questions

Name three reasons why it is important for you to comply with the legal and ethical obligations of your role as a pathology collector.

What is mandatory reporting, and how does it relate to your role as a pathology collector?

What is informed consent, and how does it relate to your role as a pathology collector (e.g. what might happen if you do not have informed consent?)

How do privacy, confidentiality, and rules of disclosure impact your work?

In a paragraph, explain what is meant by work role boundaries, and who or what you can consult if you are unsure of your work role boundaries.

What is meant by ‘supportive holding procedures,’ and what limitations exist when applying these, specifically relating to children?

Explain what duty of care means in the context of pathology collection work.

In the table below, indicate which of these role or responsibility considerations apply in a home-based collection context, and which apply in a clinic-based context? (Note – some will apply to both):

Safe transport of pathology collector to collection site
Maintain privacy and confidentiality
Maintain work role boundaries
Respect dignity and privacy
Seek permission to enter premises
Note hazards
Carry Pathology Collector Identification Card
Take reasonable precautions for own safety
Mandatory Reporting obligations
Applying standard infection control requirements for clinical procedures

Name two authorised sources of blood sample requests (i.e. who is authorised to order blood samples?) and how is this related to work role boundaries?

Thinking about your work role boundaries, are you allowed to advise your client of their pathology results? How could you explain this to a client who asks you for their recent results?

List four things you need to consider in your routine work as a pathology collector, in relation to Work Health and Safety. You might list things you should do, things you should not do, lines of reporting, etc. You may also refer to Microbiology concepts when discussing infection risks and contamination control.

Complete the table below by describing each piece of equipment in dot point form or 1–2 sentences:

Tourniquets
Collection tubes
Syringes and needles and/or winged infusion set (butterfly)
Multi-sample needle and holder
Evacuated blood collection equipment
Sharps containers
Alcohol wipes
Dressings
PPE
Hand hygiene facilities
Documented collection procedures

List two situations in which you should use hand hygiene practices.

What is the recommended records management procedure in a pathology workplace?

Provide two examples of PPE and describe when you would use each.

In 1–2 sentences, explain why you should avoid contact with bodily fluids in the workplace.

List three steps you can take to avoid or reduce the risk of sharps injury in the workplace.

You sustain a sharps injury at work. List three steps you must take.

In 1–2 sentences, explain how you should dispose of clinical waste in your pathology collection room at work.

Complete the table below for each type of venepuncture equipment:

Evacuated system
Multi-sample needle
Winged infusion set
Common needle and syringe
Tourniquet
Cleaning solution and swabs
Blood collection tubes

What do the following abbreviations used in venous blood collection stand for?

a) FBE
b) FRC
c) ESR
d) PT
e) TSH
f) WBC

What do the following two blood test names measure?

Complete blood count
Renal function test

Identify three (3) appropriate venepuncture sites with a brief description of their location using relevant Anatomy Biology terminologies.

Explain the importance of considering the clinical history and medication details of a person in relation to venous sample collection. For instance, why might you need to know that a person has a particular physical or mental illness, or that your client takes Warfarin?

What do veins and arteries do? What is the main difference between them?

Explain the structure of the vein.

As pathology collectors, why is it important we have knowledge of the nervous system?

List 3 sites to avoid when deciding where to collect a blood sample.

What is meant by pre-analytical error? Give at least 3 examples to demonstrate your understanding.

Briefly describe the following components of the blood, including their role in the body:

a) Serum plasma
b) Red cells
c) White cells
d) Platelets

Pre-analytical errors are those that occur prior to samples reaching the pathology laboratory for testing. They can occur at any stage from client identification to sample storage and transport. In one paragraph or in dot points, explain at least 4 aspects to preventing pre-analytical error with blood samples for serum plasma, red cells, white cells, and platelets testing.

Complete the table below indicating Yes or No:

Follow standard precautions
Using sterile equipment
Applying the tourniquet at an appropriate distance above
Select most appropriate collection site
Use appropriately sized needle
Correct storage of sample

Explain how each of the following pre-analytical factors affect the clinical analysis of blood and its impact on blood collection:

Appropriate time to collect
Impact of medications
Timing of last dose
Fasting
Protecting the integrity of the specimen

Why are additives used in blood collection tubes? Complete the table below:

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
Sodium citrate
Lithium / sodium heparin
Fluoride oxalate
Separation gel
Blood culture bottles

How might a client be positioned for a blood collection to ensure both the safety of the client and the phlebotomist? List at least two (2) considerations.

What are some appropriate post venepuncture care instructions you may give to your client? List at least three (3).

Case Study A:

A client is in your pathology collection centre for venous blood collection. The client is not accompanied by anyone. The client starts panicking once you explain the blood collection procedure and apply the tourniquet. You try reassuring the client, but their anxiety continues to escalate. The client starts sweating profusely.

a) What will you do and say in this situation?
b) From whom could you seek assistance?

Case Study B:

Another client complained of dizziness and nausea after you collected a blood sample and removed the tourniquet. The client had previously advised that they are “fine” with blood tests.

How should you respond to this situation?

Case Study C:

You overheard a colleague confirming the identity of a client by asking “Are you Mr Smith Noyle? Is this your address?”.

Explain why this is not the correct method of identifying clients and describe how pathology collectors should do this.

Assessment Task 2 – Simulation Based Assessments

Simulation Based Assessment Task 1:

An adult client is waiting at your pathology clinic to give blood for cross matching, blood grouping and antibody screening.

Perform venous blood collection using evacuated system.

Tasks:

a) Greet the client, introduce yourself, and invite them to sit or lie down
b) Verify the written blood request and verbally confirm the tests to be done
c) Prepare the equipment and resources including the vacutainers according to the test prescribed
d) Explain the procedure to the client and obtain consent
e) Perform hand hygiene and don gloves
f) Check the functioning of the syringe for blood collection
g) Assess the client vein and choose appropriate site and location
h) Apply the tourniquet above the site
i) Cleanse the site with alcohol wipe in a circular motion and allow to air dry
j) Pierce the skin using the correct technique
k) Withdraw the plunger for collecting blood as required for the test
l) Release the tourniquet
m) Remove the needle slowly from the vein by applying digital pressure with cotton balls
n) Observe the client for any complications
o) Discard the sharps and waste according to health care waste management
p) Perform documentation
q) Ensure the client is comfortable to get up, and wish them a good day

Simulation Based Assessment Task 2:

An adult client is waiting at your pathology clinic to give blood for a fasting glucose test. The client appears anxious and is alone.

Perform venous blood collection using needle and syringe.

Simulation Based Assessment Task 3:

An adult client is waiting at your pathology clinic to give blood for a blood culture. The client is alone, obese and uses a Zimmer frame to walk. The client may need assistance to keep her arm steady because of mild tremors.

Perform venous blood collection using evacuated system using a winged infusion set (butterfly). Knowledge of Cell Biology may assist in understanding blood components and specimen handling requirements.

Simulation Based Assessment Task 4:

Prepare your sample collection tray/cart and ensure it holds all necessary equipment for proper sample collection.

Assessment Task 3 – Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Logbook

Requirements:

Perform pathology collection work for at least 35 hours
Work under supervision of a qualified phlebotomist
Perform venous blood collection from at least 20 different people
Maximum of two attempts per collection
Use evacuated system at least 10 times
Use winged infusion sets and/or needle and syringe
Follow infection control and safety procedures
Complete venous blood collection log after each collection
Have assessments verified by facilitator