American Medical Technologist (AMT) Practice Exam

Which aspect is most critical during a blood culture collection?

1. Patient hydration

2. Skin antisepsis of the collection site

3. Selection of the vein

4. Time of collection

The correct answer is: Skin antisepsis of the collection site

During blood culture collection, the most critical aspect is skin antisepsis of the collection site. This step is vital because the presence of microorganisms on the skin can lead to contamination of the blood culture, resulting in false-positive results. Effective skin antisepsis significantly reduces the chances of skin flora entering the blood sample, thereby ensuring that any bacteria or fungi detected in the culture are truly present in the bloodstream and not merely contaminants from the skin surface. Proper antiseptic technique usually involves using an appropriate antiseptic solution, such as chlorhexidine or alcohol, and allowing it to dry to maximize its efficacy. This procedure is essential to maintain the integrity of the sample and the validity of the culture results. While other factors, such as patient hydration, selection of the vein, and timing of collection, play important roles in overall sample collection and patient care, they do not address the primary goal of ensuring the purity of the blood culture. Contaminated samples can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, underscoring the importance of meticulous skin antisepsis prior to collection.