After Collecting Several Evacuated Tubes from a Patient, the Phlebotomist

question 60

Multiple Choice

After collecting several evacuated tubes from a patient, the phlebotomist receives a pager message to go to the intensive care unit (ICU) immediately and draw several stats. Because of this page, he or she forgets to properly invert the tubes just collected. Which of the following tests is most likely to be affected by this action?

• A) Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in a sodium citrate tube
• B) Glucose in a plain red top tube
• C) Ionized calcium in a plain red top tube that remains sealed
• D) CO₂ in a plain red top tube that remains sealed

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Definitions:

Testing Effect

The experimental finding that taking tests on material actually improves the learning of it even when compared with simply repeatedly studying that material.

Roediger

Refers to Henry L. Roediger III, an influential cognitive psychologist known for his research on memory, particularly the testing effect and false memories.

Cue Overload

A principle of memory that states a retrieval cue will be most effective when it is highly distinctive and not related to any other target memories.

Distinctive

Having a quality or characteristic that makes something easily identifiable and sets it apart from others.