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

What is the main purpose of using a blood culture collection technique?

1. To collect samples for hematology tests

2. To detect the presence of infectious microorganisms

3. To analyze the coagulation status of blood

4. To measure glucose levels

The correct answer is: To detect the presence of infectious microorganisms

The primary purpose of utilizing a blood culture collection technique is to detect the presence of infectious microorganisms in the bloodstream. This is crucial for diagnosing infections such as bacteremia or septicemia. Blood cultures are performed by drawing blood samples and placing them in specially formulated culture media that support the growth of bacteria and fungi. If an infectious organism is present, it will multiply in the culture, allowing for identification and sensitivity testing to determine the most effective treatment. Collecting samples for hematology tests pertains to analyzing the components of blood, while analyzing coagulation status is related to assessing how well blood clots, neither of which focus on identifying infections. Measuring glucose levels, on the other hand, pertains to metabolic assessments. All these activities have distinct goals, but the exact aim of blood culture collection rests squarely on the need to identify and diagnose current infections.