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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
HTEC D064A
Course Title (CB02)
Clinical Laboratory Procedures I
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
This is an introductory course to the clinical laboratory, which will teach students the principles of infection control, bloodborne pathogen standards, safety standards, laboratory requisition, specimen requirements, patient preparation, patient identification, specimen identification, venipuncture, and skin puncture equipment.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Health Care Ancillaries (Medical assisting, hospice worker, home care aide, certified nurse aide, health aide, ward clerk, central service technology, childbirth educator, primary care associate, massage therapy)]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - HEALTH CARE SERVICES]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU transferable and part of a CTE program for Medical Assisting. It was developed based on the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistant's Accreditation Standards required for Health Technology training programs. This course initiates the understanding of the clinical laboratory's infection control and specimen requirements.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
1.5
Maximum Credit Units
1.5

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours1.02.0
Laboratory Hours2.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
12.0
Laboratory
24.0
Total
36.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
24.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
24.0

Prerequisite(s)

HTEC D060A

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Quiz review performed in class

Collaborative learning and small group discussions

Homework and Extended projects

Laboratory quizzes that evaluate the weekly laboratory exercises

Laboratory experience which involves students in formal exercises

Assignments

  1. Required readings of the clinical laboratory assignments from the text
  2. Complete worksheets that include observations, results and critical analysis
  3. Perform laboratory procedures as outlined in the student guide

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Objective/subjective quizzes that test comprehension of course material on a routine basis and help identify areas that may need extra attention
  2. Objective tests-Written examination designed to demonstrate students understanding of the course material presented in lecture-lab
  3. Written Assignments that use the critical analysis and discussion of case studies present in lecture and lab or assigned readings
  4. Complete lab activity handouts from the study guide-Practice and demonstration of techniques in the student laboratory designed to demonstrate critical thinking skills and to problem solve as required in the assignments and experimental investigations.
  5. Comprehensive Final Examination-Written test requiring the student to demonstrate their ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze concepts throughout the course

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None
Essential College Facilities:
  • Laboratory classroom with microscopes and centrifuges

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Bonewit-West, Kathy"Clinical Procedures for Medical Assistants"Elsevier Inc.2018, 10th Ed.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Define common terms used in the clinical laboratory
  • List and explain the five purposes of laboratory testing
  • Describe federal regulations enacted to improve the quality of laboratory testing
  • Identify the Purpose and Function of the purpose of a laboratory printed request form
  • Identify and explain the appropriate guidelines for specimen collection
  • Compare and contrast the handling, storing, testing of specimens
  • Describe appropriate laboratory safety guidelines for a medical office or outside laboratory.
  • List and explain the stages in the course of an infectious disease
  • Distinguish among the three classifications of bacteria based on shape.
  • Explain the safety guidelines when handling a pathogenic specimen
  • Identify infectious diseases caused by gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria
  • Select examples of how infectious diseases in the community can be prevented and controlled
  • Describe the structures forming the urinary system and state the function of each.
  • Classify the terms used to describe symptoms of urinary system disorders.
  • Explain the various methods of collecting urine specimens
  • Demonstrate and explain the tests that are included in the physical and chemical examination of urine
  • Identify and explain the methods of urine pregnancy testing
  • Apply learned skills to patient education situations
  • Recognize alternative clinical laboratory perspectives to the delivery of health care to gender, persons of different cultural backgrounds and those persons with disabilities.

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate the practice of proper application of OSHA standards during specimen collection.

Outline

  1. Define common terms used in the clinical laboratory
    1. Explain basic clinical laboratory terms
    2. Define termed used in microbiology
    3. Distinguish between the urinalysis
  2. List and explain the five purposes of laboratory testing
    1. Identify diagnoses of pathogenic conditions
    2. Evaluate the patient's progress and to regulate treatment
    3. Recognize each patient's baseline or normal level
    4. Distinguish the prevention or reduction of the severity of the disease
    5. Explain the laboratory test requirements by state law
  3. Describe federal regulations enacted to improve the quality of laboratory testing
    1. Explain the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA 1988)
    2. Compare and contrast the low-complexity, moderate-complexity and high-complexity testing
    3. List the requirements for moderate and high-complexity testing
      1. Patient test management
      2. Quality control
      3. Quality assurance
      4. Proficiency testing
      5. Personnel requirements
  4. Identify the Purpose and Function of the purpose of a laboratory printed request form
    1. Directs the laboratory which test to perform
    2. Provides the laboratory with essential information for accurate testing, reporting of results and billing information
  5. Explain the purpose of advance patient preparation for collection of a laboratory specimen.
    1. Food consumption
    2. Medication
    3. Activity level
    4. Time of day
  6. Identify and explain the appropriate guidelines for specimen collection
    1. Review and follow the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standards
    2. Review the requirements for collection of the specimen
    3. Assemble the laboratory equipment and supplies
    4. Identify the patient and explain the procedure
    5. Explain the identification process of various lab specimens
    6. Handle, store, and transportation the specimen properly
  7. Compare and contrast the handling, storing, testing of specimens
    1. Differentiate between the handling and storing of the various types of specimens such as blood, urine, microbiologic specimen, and stool
    2. Distinguish between the manual and automated methods of testing
    3. Define and explain quality control as it pertains to the clinical laboratory
  8. Describe appropriate laboratory safety guidelines for a medical office or outside laboratory.
    1. List examples of medical waste and how to handle, discard, and label.
    2. Explain how chemical reagents should be handled
    3. Describe how laboratory specimens should be handled safely
      1. Review OSHA and Bloodborne Pathogens Standards
      2. Various Handwashing methods
      3. Avoid hand-to-mouth
      4. No pipeting into mouth
      5. Clean up spills STAT
      6. Use and disposal safety needles
      7. Cover any break in skin
      8. Tightly cap specimens
      9. Handle all equipment properly
  9. List and explain the stages in the course of an infectious disease
    1. Describe the invasion and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in the body
    2. Compare the interval of time between the invasion and the appearance of the first symptoms
    3. Describe the prodromal period characterized by the first symptoms
    4. Define the acute period when the disease is at its peak
    5. Describe the decline period when the symptoms begin to subside
    6. Review the convalescent period when the patient regains their strength
  10. Distinguish among the three classifications of bacteria based on shape.
    1. Cocci
    2. Bacilli
    3. Spirilla
  11. Explain the safety guidelines when handling a pathogenic specimen
    1. Demonstrate how the specimen should be preserved
    2. Explain transporting a specimen via courier service
  12. Identify infectious diseases caused by gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria
    1. Identify and describe infectious diseases caused by streptococcal sore throat, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, diphtheria, other gram-negative bacteria.
    2. Identify and describe infectious diseases caused by whooping cough, gonorrhea, meningitis, cholera, typhoid fever, and others.
  13. Select examples of how infectious diseases in the community can be prevented and controlled
    1. Demonstrate proper medical asepsis technique
    2. Describe proper nutrition for patients
    3. Demonstrate patient education in the use of practices that reduce the transmission of pathogens
    4. Interpret the leadership role of the health care provider in reducing infectious diseases in the community
  14. Describe the structures forming the urinary system and state the function of each.
    1. Describe the location and function of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra
    2. Describe the composition and percentage of the various components of urine
    3. Explain the amount of urine excreted by the normal patient
    4. Identify drugs and conditions that would not allow the kidneys to concentrate urine
  15. Classify the terms used to describe symptoms of urinary system disorders.
    1. Anuria
    2. Diuresis
    3. Dysuria
    4. Enuresis
    5. Frequency
    6. Hematuria
    7. Nocturia
  16. Explain the various methods of collecting urine specimens
    1. Describe collecting a random urine specimen
    2. Explain the procedure and purpose of collecting the first morning specimen
    3. Instruct the patient in collecting a clean-catch midstream urine specimen
  17. Demonstrate and explain the tests that are included in the physical and chemical examination of urine
    1. Identify and describe the physical examination tests of urine color, clarity, odor, measurement of specific gravity using reagent strip, refractometer, or urinometer methods.
    2. Compare and contrast the chemical examination tests of urine
      1. pH (acid or alkalinity), glucose, protein, ketones, bililrubin, urobilinogen, blood, others
      2. Reagent strips
  18. Identify and explain the methods of urine pregnancy testing
    1. Demonstrate and explain the two methods of testing urine for pregnancy
      1. Immunoassay enzyme tests
      2. Agglutination tests
    2. Instruct a patient in the specific guidelines for collecting a urine specimen used in pregnancy testing
    3. Explain the method of collection for the serum pregnancy test
  19. Apply learned skills to patient education situations
    1. Demonstrate ability to teach patients regarding preparation for specimen collection
    2. Demonstrate ability to teach patients regarding collection of urine specimens
    3. Recognize impacts of cultural diversity
  20. Recognize alternative clinical laboratory perspectives to the delivery of health care to gender, persons of different cultural backgrounds and those persons with disabilities.
    1. Identify different cultural backgrounds.
    2. Describe various techniques for working with co-workers and patients with disabilities
    3. Compare the laboratory procedures that apply to patients of different genders

Lab Topics

  1. Urine Testing
  2. Lab requisitions
  3. Pregnancy Testing
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