A Phlebotomist Is Collecting a Sample for Potassium by Fingerstick

question 65

Multiple Choice

A phlebotomist is collecting a sample for potassium by fingerstick on an adult patient. The patient's hands are callused and the phlebotomist experiences difficulty in obtaining enough sample. One possible effect of this difficulty is:

• A) the finger involved must not be used for future collections.
• B) excessive squeezing and tissue fluid in the sample may affect the potassium result.
• C) a postexamination variable is caused.
• D) no significant effect on the sample is likely.

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Definitions:

Neutral Conductor

A conductor that carries only the imbalance of current between the live conductors in a multiphase system, and is at ground potential.

Negative-Sequence Harmonic

Causes the rotating magnetic field of a polyphase motor to rotate in a direction opposite that of the fundamental frequency.

Fundamental Frequency

The lowest frequency of a periodic waveform, representing the greatest common divisor of the frequencies of all components of the waveform.

Odd Multiples

Refers to numbers or values that are not divisible by two and are multiples of a given number, often appearing in patterns or sequences.