Certified Phlebotomy Technician Patient Preparation and Identification Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An outpatient arrives for a fasting glucose tolerance test. The phlebotomist confirms the patient's name and date of birth against the requisition. Which of the following is the MOST critical next step in patient preparation?
- Ask the patient if they have complied with the fasting requirements. (Correct answer)
- Explain the procedure and obtain verbal consent.
- Check for allergies to latex or adhesives.
- Select and prepare the venipuncture site.
Correct answer: Ask the patient if they have complied with the fasting requirements.
Verifying patient compliance with dietary restrictions, such as fasting, is essential for the accuracy of many tests, especially a glucose tolerance test. Failure to confirm this could lead to inaccurate results and necessitate a re-draw.
Question 2: A phlebotomist is called to an inpatient's room. The patient's identification band is not on their wrist but is taped to the bedrail. The information on the band matches the requisition form. What is the appropriate course of action?
- Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth before proceeding.
- Proceed with the draw since the information matches the requisition.
- Do not draw the blood and ask the nurse to place a new ID band on the patient. (Correct answer)
- Document the location of the ID band and proceed with the collection.
Correct answer: Do not draw the blood and ask the nurse to place a new ID band on the patient.
According to safety standards, an identification band must be physically attached to the patient. An ID band on a bedrail or nightstand does not ensure it belongs to the correct patient. The phlebotomist must not proceed until the patient is properly identified by having a nurse re-band them.
Question 3: Which of the following is the best way for a phlebotomist to verify the identity of an outpatient who is conscious and alert?
- Ask, "Are you Jane Doe?"
- Match the name on the requisition to the patient's insurance card.
- Call the patient's name in the waiting room and have them confirm.
- Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth.
The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) mandates using at least two patient identifiers for verification. The best practice is to ask the patient to actively state their full name and date of birth, which can then be compared to the requisition form. Asking a leading question like "Are you Jane Doe?" can lead to errors if the patient is distracted or hard of hearing.
Question 4: A patient scheduled for a routine venipuncture expresses extreme anxiety about needles and reports a history of fainting during blood draws. Which action should the phlebotomist take to prepare the patient?
- Inform the patient that the procedure is quick and there is nothing to worry about.
- Have the patient lie down in a reclining chair or on an examination table. (Correct answer)
- Offer the patient a sugary drink to prevent a drop in blood sugar.
- Proceed with the venipuncture quickly to minimize the patient's distress.
Correct answer: Have the patient lie down in a reclining chair or on an examination table.
For patients with a history of fainting (syncope) or extreme anxiety, the safest position for a blood draw is lying down (supine) or in a reclining phlebotomy chair. This prevents injury if the patient loses consciousness.
Question 5: Upon entering a hospital room, a phlebotomist finds a patient who is unconscious. The requisition form is for a 'John Smith'. What is the first step in patient identification in this scenario?
- Check the patient's wristband for two identifiers. (Correct answer)
- Ask the visiting family member to confirm the patient's identity.
- Match the room number on the requisition to the room number on the door.
- Proceed with the draw as the patient cannot refuse.
Correct answer: Check the patient's wristband for two identifiers.
For an unconscious inpatient, the primary method of identification is to compare the information on the requisition form with the patient's wristband. The wristband must contain at least two unique identifiers (e.g., full name and medical record number) that match the form exactly. Relying on a room number is unreliable, and while family can assist, the wristband is the definitive source.
Question 6: When preparing a patient for a blood draw, which of the following is a key element of obtaining informed consent?
- Having the patient sign a detailed legal document before every routine draw.
- Telling the patient that the doctor ordered the test and they must comply.
- Explaining the procedure in simple terms and asking for permission to proceed. (Correct answer)
- Assuming consent is given if the patient extends their arm.
Correct answer: Explaining the procedure in simple terms and asking for permission to proceed.
Informed consent involves explaining the procedure to the patient in a way they can understand and getting their permission to perform it. For routine phlebotomy, this is typically a verbal explanation and confirmation. While extending an arm can imply consent (implied consent), a direct explanation and verbal agreement constitute a more thorough informed consent process.
Certified Phlebotomy Technician Patient Preparation and Identification Questions and Answers
An outpatient arrives for a fasting glucose tolerance test.
The phlebotomist confirms the patient's name and date of birth against the requisition.
Which of the following is the MOST critical next step in patient preparation?