Certified Phlebotomy Technician Patient Preparation and Identification Questions and Answers

Question 1

An outpatient arrives for a fasting glucose tolerance test. The phlebotomist confirms the patient's name and date of birth against the requisition. Which of the following is the MOST critical next step in patient preparation?

Accepted Answer

Ask the patient if they have complied with the fasting requirements.

Answer

Verifying patient compliance with dietary restrictions, such as fasting, is essential for the accuracy of many tests, especially a glucose tolerance test. Failure to confirm this could lead to inaccurate results and necessitate a re-draw.

Question 2

A phlebotomist is called to an inpatient's room. The patient's identification band is not on their wrist but is taped to the bedrail. The information on the band matches the requisition form. What is the appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Do not draw the blood and ask the nurse to place a new ID band on the patient.

Answer

According to safety standards, an identification band must be physically attached to the patient. An ID band on a bedrail or nightstand does not ensure it belongs to the correct patient. The phlebotomist must not proceed until the patient is properly identified by having a nurse re-band them.

Question 3

Which of the following is the best way for a phlebotomist to verify the identity of an outpatient who is conscious and alert?

Accepted Answer

Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth.

Answer

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) mandates using at least two patient identifiers for verification. The best practice is to ask the patient to actively state their full name and date of birth, which can then be compared to the requisition form. Asking a leading question like "Are you Jane Doe?" can lead to errors if the patient is distracted or hard of hearing.

Question 4

A patient scheduled for a routine venipuncture expresses extreme anxiety about needles and reports a history of fainting during blood draws. Which action should the phlebotomist take to prepare the patient?

Accepted Answer

Have the patient lie down in a reclining chair or on an examination table.

Answer

For patients with a history of fainting (syncope) or extreme anxiety, the safest position for a blood draw is lying down (supine) or in a reclining phlebotomy chair. This prevents injury if the patient loses consciousness.

Question 5

Upon entering a hospital room, a phlebotomist finds a patient who is unconscious. The requisition form is for a 'John Smith'. What is the first step in patient identification in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Check the patient's wristband for two identifiers.

Answer

For an unconscious inpatient, the primary method of identification is to compare the information on the requisition form with the patient's wristband. The wristband must contain at least two unique identifiers (e.g., full name and medical record number) that match the form exactly. Relying on a room number is unreliable, and while family can assist, the wristband is the definitive source.

Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Practice Test

Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Practice Test

Certified Phlebotomy Technician Patient Preparation and Identification Questions and Answers