Provide the equivalent measurement for 1 decimeter.

RAST tests, or Radioallergosorbent tests, are used to screen for an allergy to a specific substance or substances if a person presents with allergy-like symptoms.

The assay which is most helpful in identifying specific allergens is:

A phlebotomist has just performed a venipuncture on a patient. How would the phlebotomist dispose of the used needle?

A combination of (nonselective) 5% sheep blood and (selective) MacConkey agars is sufficient for the recovery of the pathogenic microorganisms that are most commonly encountered in urinary tract infections (UTIs). MacConkey is the selective culture medium that is most commonly used to inhibit growth of gram-positive organisms (most UTIs are caused by gram-negative organisms).

Eosin methylene blue (EMB) is a selective agar that also inhibits the growth of gram-positive organisms. Therefore, using only a combination of MacConkey and EMB would prevent the detection of a gram-positive organism, if this were the cause of the infection.

Chocolate agar or other enriched media may be needed in addition to blood and MacConkey if a more fastidious organism is suspected.

Thayer-Martin would be used specifically for recovery of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Thayer-Martin (or Modified Thayer-Martin) inhibits other microorganisms and allows the selective recovery of both N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis.

Microbiology

Which culture agar combinations below will usually be sufficient for MOST routine urine culture investigations?

The proper pH for a unit of platelets must be above 6.2. According to the FDA, accurate pH measurement is time dependent, and samples should be tested within 1 hour of sampling, or as suggested by the manufacturer of the pH measurement system. It is recommended that a pH meter or gas analyzer be routinely used rather than pH (nitrazine) paper. However, if the laboratory chooses to determine pH measurements with nitrazine paper, the selected paper should read in increments of one-tenth units, or it may provide inaccurate measurements. Maintaining proper pH requires at least 35 ml, but preferably 50-70 ml of plasma per platelet unit.

In order to prevent a loss of viability in platelet concentrates during storage the pH must be maintained above:

Free T4 is affected the least by changes in plasma proteins during pregnancy.

Which of the following thyroid function assays is affected least by pregnancy:

The best course of action when entering an isolation room is: