NCCT Interactive Review 5 MLT 413NC Saddleback College |
UPDATED Questions with 100% Verified Answers
Question:
1. Two patients in the waiting room with the same exact name
are waiting for phlebotomy testing. The phlebotomist should
confirm patient ID by
A. asking both patients to state their name.
B. verifying spelling of the names in the medical records.
C. asking both patients to state their DOB.
D. verifying DOB in the medical records.
Answer:
asking both patients to state their DOB.
Rationale
Proper patient identification is the most critical aspect of specimen collection and is one
of the most important annual National Patient Safety Goals identified by the Joint
Commission. Patients must be identified using at least two identifiers. The following
identifiers are acceptable: full name, date of birth (DOB), and medical record number
(MRN) for inpatients and social security number (SSN) for outpatients. MRN and SSN are
considered to be unique identifiers since no two patients can have the same MRN or
SSN. Whenever possible, confirm patient's unique identifier(s). In an outpatient setting,
ask the patient to verbally state and spell his or her full name including first, last, middle
and suffix and compare the name to the requisition. Obtaining DOB from each patient
will help distinguish patients with the same exact name and eliminate confusion between
specimens. It is imperative to obtain as many identifiers as possible in order to minimize
patient misidentification and specimen mislabeling. Since both patients have the same
exact name, asking them to state their names is not sufficient to prevent confusion
between different specimens. Medical record is protected by HIPAA and must not be
accessed by a phlebotomist unless necessary to provide quality of care. Identification
must be verified with the patient and not through medical records.
Question:
2. When performing a venipuncture in an outpatient setting,
“person-specific” identifiers include
,A. date of birth.
B. race.
C. religion.
D. medical record or ID number
Answer:
date of birth.
Rationale
The Joint Commission (TJC) lists date of birth (DOB) as a "person specific" identifier. The
medical record number may not be available in an outpatient setting. Race or religion are
not used as identifiers.
Question:
3. Before performing a venipuncture on a conscious patient,
the most effective way to identify the patient is to
A. match their wrist band to the requisition form.
B. ask the patient for his name and qualifying information.
C. check the requisition form with the chart.
D. ask the patient to complete the identification portion of the
requisition form.
Answer:
ask the patient for his name and qualifying information.
Rationale
The National Patient Safety Goals established by The Joint Commission recommend at
least the confirmation of two patient identifiers before proceeding with any medical
procedure including phlebotomy. Errors in patient identification lead to medical
mistreatment and possibly death. Having the patient state his name and date of birth
(DOB) will suffice for an outpatient. For inpatients, in addition to stating name and DOB,
the phlebotomist should match the medical record number on the test requisition to that
of the patient's armband. A specimen should never be drawn from a patient without an
armband. Any discrepancy in the information must be corrected before proceeding.
Matching the wrist band to the requisition is not sufficient as the patient may have the
wrong band. The same is true for the chart. The patient does not complete anything on
the requisition - it is the responsibility of the phlebotomist to provide complete and
, correct patient identification.
Question:
4. Which of the following must the phlebotomist do to verify a
hospitalized patient’s identity before beginning a procedure?
A. Check the ID bracelet and the electronic medical record.
B. Check the ID bracelet and ask the patient to verbally
confirm her identity.
C. Check the name on the room white board and the
electronic medical record.
D. Check the name on the room white board and ask the
patient to verbally confirm her identity.
Answer:
Check the ID bracelet and ask the patient to verbally confirm her identity.
Rationale
The National Patient Safety Goals established by The Joint Commission recommend at
least the confirmation of two patient identifiers before proceeding with any medical
procedure including phlebotomy. Errors in patient identification lead to medical
mistreatment and possibly death. Having the patient state his name and date of birth
(DOB) will suffice for an outpatient. For inpatients, in addition to stating name and DOB,
the phlebotomist should match the medical record number on the test requisition to that
on the patient's armband. A specimen should never be drawn from a patient without an
armband. Any discrepancy in the information must be corrected before proceeding.
Relying on the electronic medical record, the name on the white board or just the ID
band is not sufficient. It is the responsibility of the phlebotomist to provide complete and
correct patient identification.
Question:
5. According to the Joint Commission, which are the two best
identifiers for a conscious patient? [Select 2]
A. spoken name
B. identification by a family member
C. spoken social security number
UPDATED Questions with 100% Verified Answers
Question:
1. Two patients in the waiting room with the same exact name
are waiting for phlebotomy testing. The phlebotomist should
confirm patient ID by
A. asking both patients to state their name.
B. verifying spelling of the names in the medical records.
C. asking both patients to state their DOB.
D. verifying DOB in the medical records.
Answer:
asking both patients to state their DOB.
Rationale
Proper patient identification is the most critical aspect of specimen collection and is one
of the most important annual National Patient Safety Goals identified by the Joint
Commission. Patients must be identified using at least two identifiers. The following
identifiers are acceptable: full name, date of birth (DOB), and medical record number
(MRN) for inpatients and social security number (SSN) for outpatients. MRN and SSN are
considered to be unique identifiers since no two patients can have the same MRN or
SSN. Whenever possible, confirm patient's unique identifier(s). In an outpatient setting,
ask the patient to verbally state and spell his or her full name including first, last, middle
and suffix and compare the name to the requisition. Obtaining DOB from each patient
will help distinguish patients with the same exact name and eliminate confusion between
specimens. It is imperative to obtain as many identifiers as possible in order to minimize
patient misidentification and specimen mislabeling. Since both patients have the same
exact name, asking them to state their names is not sufficient to prevent confusion
between different specimens. Medical record is protected by HIPAA and must not be
accessed by a phlebotomist unless necessary to provide quality of care. Identification
must be verified with the patient and not through medical records.
Question:
2. When performing a venipuncture in an outpatient setting,
“person-specific” identifiers include
,A. date of birth.
B. race.
C. religion.
D. medical record or ID number
Answer:
date of birth.
Rationale
The Joint Commission (TJC) lists date of birth (DOB) as a "person specific" identifier. The
medical record number may not be available in an outpatient setting. Race or religion are
not used as identifiers.
Question:
3. Before performing a venipuncture on a conscious patient,
the most effective way to identify the patient is to
A. match their wrist band to the requisition form.
B. ask the patient for his name and qualifying information.
C. check the requisition form with the chart.
D. ask the patient to complete the identification portion of the
requisition form.
Answer:
ask the patient for his name and qualifying information.
Rationale
The National Patient Safety Goals established by The Joint Commission recommend at
least the confirmation of two patient identifiers before proceeding with any medical
procedure including phlebotomy. Errors in patient identification lead to medical
mistreatment and possibly death. Having the patient state his name and date of birth
(DOB) will suffice for an outpatient. For inpatients, in addition to stating name and DOB,
the phlebotomist should match the medical record number on the test requisition to that
of the patient's armband. A specimen should never be drawn from a patient without an
armband. Any discrepancy in the information must be corrected before proceeding.
Matching the wrist band to the requisition is not sufficient as the patient may have the
wrong band. The same is true for the chart. The patient does not complete anything on
the requisition - it is the responsibility of the phlebotomist to provide complete and
, correct patient identification.
Question:
4. Which of the following must the phlebotomist do to verify a
hospitalized patient’s identity before beginning a procedure?
A. Check the ID bracelet and the electronic medical record.
B. Check the ID bracelet and ask the patient to verbally
confirm her identity.
C. Check the name on the room white board and the
electronic medical record.
D. Check the name on the room white board and ask the
patient to verbally confirm her identity.
Answer:
Check the ID bracelet and ask the patient to verbally confirm her identity.
Rationale
The National Patient Safety Goals established by The Joint Commission recommend at
least the confirmation of two patient identifiers before proceeding with any medical
procedure including phlebotomy. Errors in patient identification lead to medical
mistreatment and possibly death. Having the patient state his name and date of birth
(DOB) will suffice for an outpatient. For inpatients, in addition to stating name and DOB,
the phlebotomist should match the medical record number on the test requisition to that
on the patient's armband. A specimen should never be drawn from a patient without an
armband. Any discrepancy in the information must be corrected before proceeding.
Relying on the electronic medical record, the name on the white board or just the ID
band is not sufficient. It is the responsibility of the phlebotomist to provide complete and
correct patient identification.
Question:
5. According to the Joint Commission, which are the two best
identifiers for a conscious patient? [Select 2]
A. spoken name
B. identification by a family member
C. spoken social security number
