Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Patient Preparation and Identification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient refuses to state their name for identification. What is the BEST next step?
- Ask a family member present to confirm the patient's identity
- Check the patient's wristband and ask them to confirm their date of birth (Correct answer)
- Proceed with the draw using the requisition number only
- Reschedule the draw for when the patient is more cooperative
Correct answer: Check the patient's wristband and ask them to confirm their date of birth
The phlebotomist should use the ID wristband and ask the patient to confirm their date of birth as a second identifier.
Question 2: Which specimen type requires the patient to fast for 8–12 hours before collection?
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Fasting blood glucose (Correct answer)
- Prothrombin time (PT)
- Blood culture
Correct answer: Fasting blood glucose
Fasting blood glucose requires 8–12 hours of fasting to ensure accurate baseline glucose measurement.
Question 3: An inpatient's ID band is missing. What should the phlebotomist do?
- Use the name on the door or bed chart as the sole identifier
- Ask the patient to verbally confirm their name and date of birth
- Notify nursing staff and have a new band applied before drawing (Correct answer)
- Draw the specimen and note 'ID band absent' on the tube
Correct answer: Notify nursing staff and have a new band applied before drawing
CLSI standards require a replacement ID band before any specimen collection from an inpatient.
Question 4: A requisition order shows two different patient last names (maiden vs. married). How should the phlebotomist proceed?
- Use the name that matches the patient's verbal statement and proceed
- Clarify the discrepancy with nursing or the ordering physician before drawing (Correct answer)
- Draw the specimen and flag the discrepancy on the label
- Reject the requisition and send the patient back to registration
Correct answer: Clarify the discrepancy with nursing or the ordering physician before drawing
Name discrepancies on requisitions must be resolved before collection to prevent mislabeled specimens.
Question 5: Which of the following is NOT an acceptable patient identifier according to CLSI GP33?
- Patient's full name
- Patient's room number (Correct answer)
- Patient's date of birth
- Patient's assigned medical record number
Correct answer: Patient's room number
Room number is not an acceptable identifier because patients can be moved; name, DOB, and MRN are acceptable.
Question 6: Before collecting a timed specimen (e.g., 2-hour postprandial glucose), what is most important to confirm?
- That the patient consumed the correct meal or glucose load at the specified time (Correct answer)
- That the patient has been NPO since midnight
- That the patient's IV line has been flushed
- That a tourniquet was applied for less than 1 minute
Correct answer: That the patient consumed the correct meal or glucose load at the specified time
Postprandial timing begins from the start of the meal or glucose load, so confirming the exact meal time is critical.
Question 7: A conscious patient in the ED cannot speak. Which identification method is most appropriate?
- Ask a bystander who arrived with the patient
- Use only the requisition slip as identification
- Check the temporary ID band placed by the ED staff (Correct answer)
- Postpone the draw until the patient can verbally identify themselves
Correct answer: Check the temporary ID band placed by the ED staff
Emergency departments assign temporary ID bands for unresponsive or non-verbal patients, which serve as the authoritative identifier.
Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Patient Preparation and Identification 2
A patient refuses to state their name for identification.
What is the BEST next step?