- What variables could affect test results?
- How Can I Know What The Results Mean?
- Facts About Blood Test
- Tips For Collecting Specimens At Home
- When Will You Receive The Results Of Your Test?
- How can the patient help in getting accurate results?
- What Should I Do To Give My Sample For Testing?
- How Should I Collect Mid Stream Urine (MSU)?
- How Should I Collect Faeces /Stool Sample?
- How should I collect 24-hour Urine sample?
- What is Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)?
- When should I give my sample for double marker/ triple marker test?
- What tests require patients consent?
- What Happens During A Blood Test?
- Recovery After Giving Blood Sample
- What Should I Do To Avoid Bruising?
Facts about blood Tests
- Patients may need to fast prior to certain blood tests. For example, patients should not eat or drink anything except water for 10-12 hours prior to glucose and lipid profile tests.
- The amount of blood drawn at the time of collection for laboratory testing depends on the tests that are ordered. Usually the amount collected is very small (around 10-15 ml.)
- Some patients become anxious when they have their blood drawn. Patients should tell the health care professional who is drawing the blood if they feel faint or sick. Slow deep breaths prior to the needle stick may help to alleviate anxiety
- After a blood draw, the phlebotomist makes sure that all signs of bleeding have stopped. A Band-Aid is applied to the arm for a minimum of 15 minutes.
- Aspirin or other anticoagulant (blood thinners) drugs can prolong bleeding. In such cases, patients may need continued applied pressure until the bleeding has stopped. A cold pack may be necessary to reduce swelling and bruising.
- After a patient has blood drawn, even when bleeding has stopped, patients should not carry heavy objects with that arm for a minimum of one hour.