American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnician Certification Practice Exam

If a patient is receiving tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), under what condition may blood be collected?

1. At any time

2. Only with a physician's approval

3. If the nurse approves

4. With patient consent

The correct answer is: Only with a physician's approval

When a patient is receiving tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), it is crucial to approach blood collection with caution due to the thrombolytic nature of TPA, which is used to dissolve blood clots. This medication can increase the risk of bleeding; therefore, any procedures that may contribute to bleeding, such as phlebotomy, should be carefully considered. In this scenario, obtaining blood should be performed only with a physician's approval. This ensures that the medical team has assessed the patient's current condition, potential risks, and the necessity of blood collection, allowing for informed clinical judgment. The physician can evaluate factors such as the timing of the TPA administration, the patient’s overall coagulation status, and any other concurrent therapies that might impact the safety of drawing blood. Other options, such as collecting blood at any time, with nurse approval, or with patient consent, do not provide the necessary level of safety and consideration for the potential risks associated with TPA treatment. Thus, the need for physician oversight is paramount whenever considering blood collection from a patient undergoing TPA therapy.