Patient Preparation and Identification Flashcards
7 cards from real Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam 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 and Identification flashcards as text
A patient states they are allergic to latex. Which action is most appropriate?
Answer: Use latex-free gloves and latex-free tourniquet for the procedure
Latex-free gloves and tourniquets must be substituted to prevent an allergic reaction in latex-sensitive patients.
Which statement about patient education before blood collection is CORRECT?
Answer: Patients should be informed of the procedure in terms they can understand
Clear, plain-language communication helps the patient understand the procedure and provides implicit informed consent.
A patient's requisition indicates 'STAT' status. How does this affect patient identification?
Answer: Standard two-identifier verification is still required regardless of urgency
STAT urgency does not waive identification requirements; two patient identifiers must always be confirmed.
What does the term 'basal state' mean in the context of patient preparation?
Answer: The patient is in a resting, fasting state, typically early morning
Basal state refers to the early-morning, 12-hour fasted, rested condition that provides the most reproducible reference values.
A patient has had a mastectomy on the right side. Which arm should be used for venipuncture?
Answer: Left arm, to avoid the lymphedema risk on the affected side
After mastectomy, lymph node removal increases the ipsilateral arm's risk of infection and lymphedema, so the contralateral arm is preferred.
A patient arrives for an early-morning fasting glucose and mentions they brushed their teeth and swallowed toothpaste. What should the phlebotomist do?
Answer: Notify the ordering physician to decide whether to proceed
Ingesting any substance during fasting is a deviation that should be communicated to the ordering provider for a clinical decision.
Which of the following is the correct way to greet and begin identifying an outpatient?
Answer: 'Please state your full name and date of birth for me.'
Open-ended questions ('state your name') prevent patients from simply agreeing with a suggested name, reducing identification errors.