ASPT Patient Preparation 5

Question 1

Which of the following is an acceptable alternative patient identifier when a wristband is not present?

Accepted Answer

A photo ID provided by the patient along with verbal confirmation of name and DOB

Answer

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.

Question 2

Before drawing blood for a renin activity test, the patient should be instructed to:

Accepted Answer

Maintain a specified sodium intake and posture (supine or upright) as directed by the physician

Answer

Renin levels are highly sensitive to sodium intake and body position; the physician specifies these conditions to ensure clinically interpretable results.

Question 3

A patient on heparin therapy requires a PTT draw. The phlebotomist should:

Accepted Answer

Perform a venipuncture in the opposite arm and discard the first 5 mL if drawing from a line

Answer

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.

Question 4

When collecting a specimen for cold agglutinin testing, which pre-analytical step is essential?

Accepted Answer

Warm the tube to 37°C and transport it immediately in a warm container

Answer

Cold agglutinins react at cooler temperatures, so the specimen must be kept at 37°C from collection to separation to prevent false-positive agglutination.

Question 5

Which statement best describes why patients are asked to avoid vigorous exercise before lipid panel testing?

Accepted Answer

Strenuous activity can cause transient changes in lipid and enzyme levels that may not reflect a true baseline

Answer

Exercise temporarily shifts lipoprotein fractions and elevates enzymes like CK, producing results that do not reflect the patient's true steady-state lipid profile.

(ASPT) American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians Practice Test

(ASPT) American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians Practice Test

ASPT Patient Preparation 5