Phlebotomy Test Phlebotomy Patient Identification and Communication 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to CLSI standards, which two patient identifiers must be used before performing a blood draw?
- Room number and date of birth
- Full name and date of birth (or medical record number) (Correct answer)
- Physician name and insurance ID
- Floor number and diagnosis
Correct answer: Full name and date of birth (or medical record number)
CLSI and TJC require at least two patient identifiers — most commonly full name and date of birth or medical record number — before any specimen collection.
Question 2: What is the correct way to ask a patient to confirm their identity before a blood draw?
- Ask 'Are you John Smith?'
- Ask 'Can you tell me your full name and date of birth?' (Correct answer)
- Check the room number and assume correct patient
- Ask the nurse on duty to confirm
Correct answer: Ask 'Can you tell me your full name and date of birth?'
Open-ended questions requiring the patient to state their name and DOB prevent errors; asking 'Are you Mr. Smith?' allows the patient to agree even if they are not.
Question 3: What should a phlebotomist do if a patient's wristband is missing?
- Proceed with the draw and document the missing band
- Refuse to draw and notify the nurse to replace the wristband first (Correct answer)
- Use the room number as identification
- Ask the patient's visitor to confirm identity
Correct answer: Refuse to draw and notify the nurse to replace the wristband first
A missing wristband is a safety concern; the phlebotomist must notify nursing staff so the band can be replaced before the specimen is collected.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the phlebotomist's responsibility when a patient asks what the blood test is for?
- Ignore the question and proceed
- Explain the test in general terms and refer detailed medical questions to the physician (Correct answer)
- Provide a full diagnosis based on the requisition
- Refuse to answer any questions
Correct answer: Explain the test in general terms and refer detailed medical questions to the physician
Phlebotomists should provide basic information in a reassuring manner but refer clinical interpretation and diagnosis questions to the ordering physician.
Question 5: How should a phlebotomist introduce themselves when entering a patient's room?
- Enter and begin setup without speaking
- State their name, title, and purpose of the visit (Correct answer)
- Just say 'Blood draw' and wait
- Ask the patient to roll up their sleeve immediately
Correct answer: State their name, title, and purpose of the visit
Proper professional introduction includes the phlebotomist's name, role, and reason for the visit to establish trust and comply with patient rights standards.
Question 6: A conscious patient verbally refuses a blood draw. What is the appropriate response?
- Proceed anyway to fulfill the physician's order
- Restrain the patient and continue
- Respect the refusal, document it, and notify the nurse or physician (Correct answer)
- Call security immediately
Correct answer: Respect the refusal, document it, and notify the nurse or physician
Competent adult patients have the right to refuse medical procedures; the phlebotomist must document the refusal and inform the care team.
Phlebotomy Test Phlebotomy Patient Identification and Communication 1
According to CLSI standards, which two patient identifiers must be used before performing a blood draw?