Patient Communication Flashcards

Before collecting a blood specimen, what is the minimum acceptable patient identification practice?

Answer: Use at least two identifiers, such as full name and date of birth, compared against the requisition

The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals require at least two patient identifiers, and room number is never one of them.

An outpatient asks, "Do you know what my results mean?" What is the most appropriate response from the laboratory technologist?

Answer: Explain that their ordering provider will review and interpret the results with them

Interpreting results for the patient is within the ordering provider's scope, so the technologist should refer the patient back to that provider.

A patient who speaks only Spanish arrives for a glucose tolerance test. Which is the best way to give instructions?

Answer: Use a qualified medical interpreter or interpreter service

Qualified interpreters make sure communication is accurate and confidential, and using minors as interpreters is discouraged.

Which statement best shows active listening when a patient voices anxiety about a needle stick?

Answer: "It sounds like you've had a bad experience before. Tell me what helped last time."

Reflecting the patient's feelings and inviting them to say more is a core part of active listening.

An adult patient refuses a venipuncture after the procedure is explained. What should the technologist do?

Answer: Respect the refusal, avoid coercion, and notify the nurse or ordering provider and document it

Competent adults may refuse procedures, and drawing blood without consent can count as battery.

For a 24-hour urine collection, which instruction is correct to give the patient?

Answer: Discard the first morning void, then collect all urine for the next 24 hours, including the first void of the following morning

The collection starts with an empty bladder and ends with the final void at the same time the next day.

Under HIPAA, which situation is an appropriate disclosure of a patient's lab results?

Answer: Sending results to the treating physician for patient care

HIPAA allows disclosure of protected health information for treatment purposes without extra authorization.