NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)Specimen HandlingEasy
A phlebotomy technician is preparing to aliquot a serum specimen for multiple tests. Which of the following safety precautions is most important?
- AWear a lead apron to protect from radiation exposure.
- BStore the original specimen tube in a biohazard bag after aliquoting.
- CPerform aliquoting under a fume hood to avoid inhaling volatile chemicals.
- DUse a new pipette for each aliquot to prevent cross-contamination.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Use a new pipette for each aliquot to prevent cross-contamination.
Using a new pipette for each aliquot is essential to prevent cross-contamination between different tubes or different patient specimens, which could lead to inaccurate or misleading test results.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Lead aprons are for radiation protection and are not necessary for routine phlebotomy or aliquoting.
- B. The original specimen tube, if still containing biohazardous material, should be placed in an appropriate biohazard container for disposal, but a biohazard bag is not the 'most important' safety precaution during the act of aliquoting itself.
- C. Fume hoods are for volatile chemicals; aliquoting biological specimens typically requires a biosafety cabinet if aerosols are a concern, not a fume hood.
Aliquoting Safety
When aliquoting specimens, always use a new, sterile pipette for each transfer to prevent cross-contamination between different samples or aliquot tubes.
- Prevents cross-contamination.
- Ensures accurate test results.
- Use sterile, disposable pipettes.
Memory trick: Aliquoting: Always Pipette Purely.