Lab question

[nurseJAXX75]

I need help for a project. Any input would help :nuke:

Questions:

What labs are normally taken before a minor surgical procedure?

What color are the lab vials?

Which needle size is preferred and which type?

Thank you!!!!

[busyernurse, BSN, RN]

Hey - see if this helps. Usually a CBC, to include wbcs, plts, hgb and hct. Also we do a chem panel, including but not limited to sodium, potassium, and creat and BUN, esp. if pt. has impaired renal function. These last two are important if the pt. will be having dye-injection procedures. UAs are also done. To check clotting times, we draw PT, PTT, INR.

Just keep in mind that you have to have a md's order for the tests, and certain facilities may have "standard md orders" pre-op.

As far as tubes, (these are our colors, they could be different.) CBC is purple, chemistry panel is red or green. pt-ptt is a blue tube.

I like to use a 23g. butterfly when drawing specimens amd an 18g. needle to place in the tubes, to help prevent hemolysis or damage to cells. Hope this helps.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

here are links to two websites that should be helpful:

http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/pa-st/preoperative-care.html - preoperative care. from the encyclopedia of surgery: a guide for patients and caregivers. in the text under physical preparation it states, "laboratory tests may include complete blood count, electrolytes, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and urinalysis."

http://www-medlib.med.utah.edu/webpath/tutorial/phleb/phleb.html - a very excellent tutorial on how to draw blood as well as how to perform a fingerstick. this was designed for phlebotomy so includes information on the kinds of tubes to use for the blood. the site also include links to two slide shows of photographs for (1) drawing blood (phlebotomy) and (2) fingerstick (lab protocol).

welcome to allnurses! :welcome:

[nurseJAXX75]

Thank you both so much! Your quick reply was extremely helpful! Have a wonderful lday :)