Laboratory Safety

Equipment & Tools

PPE, chemical handling, biohazard disposal, SDS/MSDS, and spill management per OSHA. Lab safety and OSHA compliance tested on MA exam.

Clinical connection: Respirations technique involves Count without patient awareness (keep fingers on wrist), observe chest rise, count 30 sec x 2 or 60 .

Key Values & Ranges

CBC:

• WBC: 4,500-11,000/uL
• RBC: 4.2-5.9 million/uL
• Hemoglobin: 12-16 g/dL (F), 14-18 g/dL (M)
• Hematocrit: 37-47% (F), 42-52% (M)
• Platelets: 150,000-400,000/uL

Urinalysis:

• pH: 4.5-8.0
• Specific gravity: 1.005-1.030
• Protein: negative
• Glucose: negative
• WBC: 0-5/HPF
• RBC: 0-3/HPF
• Bacteria: negative

Documentation

Documentation of laboratory safety in the medical office uses HCPCS Level II: Supplies, equipment, drugs, non-physician services with alphanumeric starting with letter.

Examples: J7050: Normal saline solution infusion; A4253: Blood glucose test strip; E0601: CPAP device.

All documentation must be timely, accurate, legible, and include the provider signature. Late entries must be labeled as such with the date of the original event.

Common Errors

Medical assistants must avoid these errors related to laboratory safety:

• Hemolysis: redraw, often caused by vigorous mixing or small-gauge needle
• Hematoma: apply pressure immediately
• Nerve injury: remove needle immediately if patient reports shooting pain
• Failing to verify patient identity using two identifiers before any procedure

Assessment Techniques

Respirations: Count without patient awareness (keep fingers on wrist), observe chest rise, count 30 sec x 2 or 60 sec if irregular. Normal: Normal adult: 12-20/min. Tachypnea over 20, bradypnea under 12.

Pulse: Radial (most common), count 60 sec if irregular. Apical: left MCL, 5th ICS, count 60 sec. Pulse deficit: apical minus radial.. Normal: Normal adult: 60-100 bpm. Tachycardia over 100, bradycardia under 60.