Patient Preparation Flashcards
7 cards from real ASPT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Preparation flashcards as text
Which of the following is an acceptable alternative patient identifier when a wristband is not present?
Answer: A photo ID provided by the patient along with verbal confirmation of name and DOB
When a wristband is absent, two independent identifiers such as a government-issued photo ID plus verbal name and date of birth confirmation meet identification requirements.
Before drawing blood for a renin activity test, the patient should be instructed to:
Answer: Maintain a specified sodium intake and posture (supine or upright) as directed by the physician
Renin levels are highly sensitive to sodium intake and body position; the physician specifies these conditions to ensure clinically interpretable results.
A patient on heparin therapy requires a PTT draw. The phlebotomist should:
Answer: Perform a venipuncture in the opposite arm and discard the first 5 mL if drawing from a line
Drawing from a heparin lock or line introduces heparin contamination; if a line must be used, discarding an initial waste volume is required, but a clean venipuncture from the opposite arm is preferred.
When collecting a specimen for cold agglutinin testing, which pre-analytical step is essential?
Answer: Warm the tube to 37°C and transport it immediately in a warm container
Cold agglutinins react at cooler temperatures, so the specimen must be kept at 37°C from collection to separation to prevent false-positive agglutination.
Which statement best describes why patients are asked to avoid vigorous exercise before lipid panel testing?
Answer: Strenuous activity can cause transient changes in lipid and enzyme levels that may not reflect a true baseline
Exercise temporarily shifts lipoprotein fractions and elevates enzymes like CK, producing results that do not reflect the patient's true steady-state lipid profile.
A patient's arm veins are not visible. Which preparatory step is appropriate to improve venous access before the draw?
Answer: Have the patient perform a few pumping motions with the fist and apply a warm compress
Gentle fist pumping and warm compress application increase blood flow and venous dilation, making veins easier to palpate without causing hemoconcentration.
Before a serum iron and TIBC draw, the patient should be advised to:
Answer: Avoid iron supplements and iron-rich meals for at least 24 hours before collection
Dietary iron and supplement intake cause transient serum iron elevations that can falsely suggest adequate iron stores, so avoidance for at least 24 hours is required.