CSC Patient Assessment & Clinical Evaluation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient states they have a latex allergy before venipuncture. What is the collector's FIRST action?
- Proceed with standard latex gloves since blood draw is brief
- Switch to latex-free gloves and check all supplies for latex (Correct answer)
- Document the allergy and continue normally
- Refer the patient to a physician before collecting
Correct answer: Switch to latex-free gloves and check all supplies for latex
All latex-containing supplies must be replaced with latex-free alternatives to prevent an allergic reaction.
Question 2: Which finding during patient assessment would indicate the highest risk for prolonged bleeding after venipuncture?
- Patient reports drinking coffee this morning
- Patient is currently taking warfarin therapy (Correct answer)
- Patient has a history of fainting during blood draws
- Patient states they are mildly anxious
Correct answer: Patient is currently taking warfarin therapy
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that inhibits clotting, significantly prolonging bleeding time after puncture.
Question 3: When assessing a patient for a fasting specimen, the collector should verify the fast duration is at least:
- 4 hours
- 8–12 hours (Correct answer)
- 2 hours
- 24 hours
Correct answer: 8–12 hours
Most fasting laboratory tests require 8–12 hours without food or caloric beverages to ensure accurate baseline results.
Question 4: A patient reports they took aspirin two hours before their appointment for a platelet function test. What should the collector do?
- Collect the specimen and note aspirin use on the requisition
- Proceed without documenting since two hours is sufficient washout
- Reschedule the collection and notify the ordering provider (Correct answer)
- Collect the specimen and discard the first tube only
Correct answer: Reschedule the collection and notify the ordering provider
Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet function for the platelet's lifespan, so platelet function tests must be rescheduled and the provider notified.
Question 5: During patient assessment, you notice the patient has edematous (swollen) arms bilaterally. What is the best course of action?
- Select a vein in the edematous arm and proceed
- Perform a fingerstick capillary collection as an alternative
- Avoid the edematous area; attempt a site below or above the edema (Correct answer)
- Cancel the collection and reschedule
Correct answer: Avoid the edematous area; attempt a site below or above the edema
Edema dilutes the interstitial fluid and can cause inaccurate results; collecting from a non-edematous site or avoiding the edematous area is preferred.
Question 6: A patient who is an outpatient arrives for blood work and appears visibly pale and diaphoretic. What should the collector assess for?
- Dehydration from fasting only
- Impending syncope or vasovagal response (Correct answer)
- Normal anxiety about needles with no further action needed
- Latex allergy symptoms
Correct answer: Impending syncope or vasovagal response
Pallor and diaphoresis are early signs of a vasovagal (syncope) response, and the collector should have the patient sit or lie down before proceeding.
Question 7: When collecting from a pediatric patient, which assessment factor is MOST important before selecting the collection site?
- The child's favorite color to distract them
- Whether the child has eaten breakfast
- The child's age, weight, and total blood volume considerations (Correct answer)
- The parent's preference for arm or hand draw
Correct answer: The child's age, weight, and total blood volume considerations
Pediatric patients have limited total blood volume, so age and weight guide safe maximum draw volumes and appropriate collection site selection.
CSC Patient Assessment & Clinical Evaluation 2
A patient states they have a latex allergy before venipuncture.
What is the collector's FIRST action?