NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

According to CLSI guidelines, which specimen is collected first?

1. Platelet counts

2. Lytes Panel

3. Blood cultures

4. Complete metabolic panel

The correct answer is: Blood cultures

The correct choice is the collection of blood cultures first, as it is a critical step in ensuring accurate and timely diagnosis of infections. Blood cultures help identify the presence of bacteria or fungi in the bloodstream, which can be crucial for patient management, especially in cases of suspected bacteremia or sepsis. Collecting blood cultures before other specimens minimizes the risk of contamination from other sources and maximizes the chances of detecting true pathogens in the bloodstream. Follow-up specimens, such as those for platelet counts, electrolyte panels (Lytes Panel), and complete metabolic panels, can introduce contaminants or alter the results if performed prior to blood cultures, as the exposure to non-sterile environments or reagents might interfere with the delicate balance of microbial flora that the blood cultures aim to capture. Hence, adherence to this guideline is vital in phlebotomy practices.