ASPT Patient Preparation 2

Question 1

A patient reports they have been fasting for 14 hours before a fasting glucose draw. What should the phlebotomist do?

Accepted Answer

Notify the ordering physician before proceeding

Answer

An unusually prolonged fast (>12 hours) may affect some test results, so the physician should be notified before proceeding.

Question 2

Which instruction should be given to a patient preparing for a blood alcohol (BAC) test?

Accepted Answer

No special preparation is needed before venipuncture for BAC

Answer

Venipuncture for BAC requires no special patient preparation; the blood sample directly reflects current blood alcohol concentration.

Question 3

Before performing a venipuncture, the phlebotomist should verify patient identity using at least:

Accepted Answer

Two unique identifiers such as full name and date of birth

Answer

CLSI and The Joint Commission require two unique patient identifiers (e.g., full name and DOB) to be confirmed before specimen collection.

Question 4

A patient scheduled for a lipid panel asks if drinking black coffee (no cream or sugar) will affect the test results. The correct response is:

Accepted Answer

Black coffee contains compounds that can alter triglyceride levels

Answer

Black coffee can stimulate lipid metabolism and may elevate triglyceride levels, compromising the integrity of a fasting lipid panel.

Question 5

When collecting a 24-hour urine specimen, the patient should be instructed to:

Accepted Answer

Discard the first morning void and begin timing from that point

Answer

The 24-hour urine collection begins after discarding the first morning void, with all subsequent urine collected for exactly 24 hours.

(ASPT) American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians Practice Test