Perform Rapid Infectious Mononucleosis Test

Medical Assisting

Learn how to prepare for and administer a rapid infectious mononucleosis test.

The rapid infectious mononucleosis test is a diagnostic heterophile-antibody blood test used to detect whether Epstein-Barr virus, is present in the blood of a patient. The test is a valuable aid in the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis, commonly known as Mono, due to the fact that Epstein-Barr virus is the most common viral cause of the infection. Several types of rapid infectious mononucleosis tests are available, each with their own types of equipment and testing procedure. By design, each one of them is engineered to detect the presence of Epstein-Barr Virus-specific antibodies in the blood of a patient from a finger stick or from a whole blood sample. The test is quick and within minutes can determine if a patient has Epstein-Barr virus. A positive result can help the physician determine the best course of treatment, including monitoring symptoms and recommending isolation containment procedures.

You’ll learn

Relevant medical terminology
Correct pre-procedure techniques
To identify the most appropriate site to perform a finger stick
How to identify the signs of infectious mononucleosis
Methods for collecting and processing a finger stick
Methods for interpreting test results
Correct documentation and post-procedure requirements
And much more (see Content Details for more specific information)

Introduction

Step 1 - Preparation

Step 1.1 - Equipment preparation

Step 1.2 - Medical assistant preparation

Step 1.3 - Patient preparation

Step 2 - Perform finger stick

Step 2.1 - Prepare the puncture site

Step 2.2 - Puncture the skin

Step 3 - Process blood sample

Step 3.1 - Capillary tube procedure

Step 3.2 - Hanging drop

Step 3.3 - Venipuncture procedure

Step 3.4 - Set a timer

Step 3.5 - Apply bandage

Step 3.6 - Read the results

Step 4 - Complete the procedure

Describe pre-procedure considerations for a rapid infectious mononucleosis test.
Describe and demonstrate the preparation for a rapid infectious mononucleosis test.
Identify signs of infectious mononucleosis.
Describe and demonstrate how to collect a rapid infectious mononucleosis test.
Identify and understand how to interpret test results.
Describe and demonstrate the correct post-procedure considerations.
Define and demonstrate correct recording and reporting procedures.
Define and use related medical terminology.
Understand Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines.
Understand correct post-procedure considerations.
Explain the Patient Privacy Rule (HIPAA), Patient Safety Act, and Patients' Bill of Rights.

The SIMTICS modules are all easy to use and web-based. This means they are available at any time as long as the learner has an internet connection. No special hardware or other equipment is required, other than a computer mouse for use in the simulations. Each of the SIMTICS modules covers one specific procedure or topic in detail. Each module contains:

an online simulation (available in Learn and Test modes)
descriptive text, which explains exactly how to perform that particular procedure including key terms and hyperlinks to references
2D images and a 3D model of applied anatomy for that particular topic
a step by step video demonstration by an expert
a quiz
a personal logbook that keeps track of all the modules the learner has studied and how long