American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) Phlebotomy Practice Exam

What collection requires aseptic sterile techniques?

1. Glucose testing

2. Blood Culture Collection

3. Complete Blood Count

4. PT/PTT testing

The correct answer is: Blood Culture Collection

Blood culture collection requires aseptic sterile techniques because the primary goal is to detect the presence of microorganisms in the blood, which can indicate an infection. To ensure accurate test results and avoid contamination from skin flora or environmental bacteria, strict aseptic techniques must be employed. This includes using appropriate skin antiseptics such as iodine or chlorhexidine to cleanse the venipuncture site effectively, utilizing sterile equipment for the collection process, and following protocols that minimize exposure to contaminants during and after blood collection. By maintaining a sterile environment, the integrity of the samples is preserved, allowing for a precise diagnosis of potential bloodstream infections, which is critical for patient management and treatment. In contrast, other tests, such as glucose testing or complete blood count, do not have the same stringent requirements for sterility since they are not specifically looking for pathogens, but rather for blood constituents that are typically present without regard to contamination from microorganisms. Therefore, the need for aseptic techniques in blood culture collection is paramount in achieving reliable and valid results.