Specimens

Thoracentesis (A) A needle is placed into the pleural space and fluid is withdrawn for diagnosis (B) A Lukens is used to obtain a thoracentesis specimen (C) A brush instrument is used to obtain the specimen (D) Is a VATS procedure

(A) A needle is inserted into the pleural space to remove fluid. A Lukens is used for peritoneal washings. Brush instruments are used in cytology. This procedure is done without video assistance.

Specimens should never be placed on: (A) Raytec4×4 (B) Telfa (C) emesis basin (D) None of the above

(A) Specimens can never be placed on a Raytec sponge because it is a counted item and cannot leave the room.

Which of the following specimens is NOT placed in preservative solution? (A) Stones (B) Curettings (C) Tonsils (D) Uterus

(A) Stones are placed in a dry container to prevent dissolving. Stones are sent for additional study to determine their composition.

Who is directly responsible for receiving and handling the specimen on the sterile field? (A) STSR (B) Circulator (C) Anesthesiologist (D) Surgeon

(A) The STSR is directly responsible for receiving the specimen on the sterile field.

A femoral implant removed from the patient's body is sent: (A) clean in formalin (B) clean in a dry container (C) discarded (D) clean wrapped in a lap and placed in a dry container

(B) After removal of a prosthesis, the item must go in a clean dry container.

What is an incisional biopsy? (A) The entire mass with surrounding tissue (B) A small portion of tissue is incised and sent for examination (C) Sent as a permanent specimen (D) Sent in formalin

(B) An incisional biopsy is a small portion of tissue that is removed. Excisional biopsy is removal of the entire mass. This biopsy is never sent as permanent or in formalin.

Cultures obtained during surgery: (A) are handled as any other specimen (B) are passed off the sterile field into a bag or container held by the circulator (C) should be kept warm or sent to the laboratory immediately (D) should be handled only by the scrub nurse

(B) Cultures are obtained under sterile conditions. The tips must not be contaminated by any other source. The circulating nurse can hold open a small bag for the scrub nurse to drop the tube into if it is handled on the sterile field. This protects personnel and prevents the spread of microorganisms.

The term describing the specimen removal in one piece is: (A) in situ (B) en bloc (C) colon resection (D) None of the above

(B) En bloc is when the specimen is removed all in one piece.

A specimen obtained in one piece is termed: (A) in situ (B) en bloc (C) frozen (D) None of the above

(B) En bloc refers to all pieces of specimen to remain attached when it is removed. In situ is a specimen that is in its original position. Frozen specimen is tissue that is sent immediately to pathology.

An amputated limb is sent: (A) to the morgue (B) pathology (C) in formalin (D) it is discarded

(B) Initially, the limb must be sent for analysis to pathology like any specimen and then sent to the morgue.

What is considered improper procedure for handling a bullet specimen: (A) handle as little as possible (B) use tissue forceps to gently grasp the bullet (C) do not drop bullet into metal basin or bowl (D) do not use an instrument to grasp the bullet

(B) Instruments can damage the bullet. Marks on the bullet need to be examined to match the gun. Any alteration to the bullet can distort that test.

Stones are sent to pathology in: (A) sterile water (B) dry container (C) saline solution (D) formalin

(B) Stones must go to pathology dry because solutions can change the composition of the specimen.

Stones are sent to pathology in: (A) formalin (B) dry container (C) sterile saline (D) not sent to pathology

(B) Stones removed from the urinary tract, salivary ducts, and the gallbladder are sent in a dry container to pathology.

What type of biopsy is performed during a flexible endoscopic procedure? (A) Incisional biopsy (B) Needle biopsy (C) Brush biopsy (D) Fine-needle aspiration

(C) A brush biopsy is performed during a flexible endoscopic procedure. A fine brush is used to collect cells on the surface of mucous membranes.

What type of specimen requires immediate analysis? (A) Stones (B) Foreign body (C) Frozen section (D) All of the above

(C) Frozen section requires immediate analysis. This is accomplished by freezing the tissue and making fine sectional slices that can be examined microscopically.

Loss of specimens can result in all except: (A) the patient requiring additional surgery or treatment (B) an incorrect diagnosis (C) not a problem another specimen can be obtained (D) treatment can be delayed

(C) Loss of specimens can result in additional surgery or treatment, an incorrect diagnosis and treatment can be delayed.

Permanent specimens are sent to pathology: (A) immediately for a diagnosis (B) dry container (C) in a container with formalin or saline (D) they do not need to go to pathology and can be discarded

(C) Permanent specimens go to pathology in formalin or saline.

The color of a gram-positive bacteria stain is: (A) red/pink (B) green (C) blue/purple (D) yellow

(C) The color of the stain in gram-positive specimens is blue/purple. Gram-negative specimens turn red/pink.

What is considered a foreign body: (A) bullett (B) femoral implant (C) wood (D) All of the above

(D) A foreign body is any object that is found in the body that does not belong there.

Which of the following is considered a foreign body? (A) A nontissue item (B) Wood (C) An implant (D) All of the above

(D) A nontissue item, wood, or an implant are all considered foreign bodies.

Bacteria cultures obtained during surgery include: (A) aerobic (B) anaerobic (C) urine (D) Both A and B

(D) Aerobic and anaerobic cultures are taken to culture for bacteria.

When sending a frozen specimen to the lab: (A) send immediately for analysis (B) send in a dry container (C) verify with the surgeon before handing it off the sterile field (D) All of the above

(D) All of the above facts are true regarding frozen sections.

How is a frozen section sent to the laboratory? (A) In formalin (B) In saline (C) In water (D) Dry

(D) Frozen section specimens are not placed in solution because they can react with tissue and affect the pathologist's diagnosis. A frozen section is the cutting of a thin piece of tissue from a frozen specimen. This permits examination under a microscope.

Damage to or loss of specimens results in: (A) an incorrect diagnosis (B) repeat or needless surgery (C) delayed treatment (D) All of the above

(D) If a specimen is lost or damaged, the result can be an incorrect diagnosis, repeat or needless surgery, and delayed treatment.

When obtaining CSF for a specimen: (A) termed a spinal tap (B) retrieved from the lumbar region (C) sent as a frozen specimen (D) Both A and B

(D) Obtaining CSF is done through a spinal tap and is taken from the lumbar region.

Bacteria cultures obtained during surgery are: (A) ABGs (B) aerobic (C) anaerobic (D) Both B and C

(D) The two types of bacteria cultures taken intraoperatively are aerobic and anaerobic.