CHAPTER 2 CASE STUDIES (1/2)
QUIZZES WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
If the patients results are entered into the handheld device, who would be able to legally access that
medical information? ANSWER : -Any member of the health care team who cares for the patient can
access the EMR if authorized with the necessary passwords. Some health care facilities authorize the
phlebotomist to have access to this information; other facilities do not.
Is it okay for the phlebotomist to collect a blood specimen while the nurse is conducting a health
assessment? ANSWER : -In this situation, the nurse is revealing information about the abnormal chest x-
ray that may be upsetting to the patient. Since the phlebotomist does not need to be directly involved
with this aspect of the health assessment, it would be best if he or she could give the nurse and patient
some private time to go over the abnormal results. The phlebotomist can come back a few minutes later
to collect the blood specimen.
Does the patient have to sign a consent form with regard to her electronic medical record? ANSWER : -
The patient has a right to privacy and confidentiality and knowledge about who has access to her
medical information. Normally, the hospital would have a consent form that should be signed by the
patient prior to entering or accessing information in the electronic system.
Is this situation acceptable? If not, give some suggestions about how to improve it. ANSWER : -This
situation may be somewhat uncomfortable for the patient and the phlebotomist because there is no
need for the phlebotomist to hear about the abnormal result. However, if the phlebotomist could simply
ask "would you like some privacy while you discuss the results? Can I come back in a few minutes". It
might be that the patient would prefer to get the blood specimen taken care of and she would not mind
discussing the chest x-ray during the procedure. However, it is probably best to have her undivided
attention during the venipuncture procedure. Take verbal cues from both the patient and nurse and act
responsibly and professionally.
QUIZZES WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
If the patients results are entered into the handheld device, who would be able to legally access that
medical information? ANSWER : -Any member of the health care team who cares for the patient can
access the EMR if authorized with the necessary passwords. Some health care facilities authorize the
phlebotomist to have access to this information; other facilities do not.
Is it okay for the phlebotomist to collect a blood specimen while the nurse is conducting a health
assessment? ANSWER : -In this situation, the nurse is revealing information about the abnormal chest x-
ray that may be upsetting to the patient. Since the phlebotomist does not need to be directly involved
with this aspect of the health assessment, it would be best if he or she could give the nurse and patient
some private time to go over the abnormal results. The phlebotomist can come back a few minutes later
to collect the blood specimen.
Does the patient have to sign a consent form with regard to her electronic medical record? ANSWER : -
The patient has a right to privacy and confidentiality and knowledge about who has access to her
medical information. Normally, the hospital would have a consent form that should be signed by the
patient prior to entering or accessing information in the electronic system.
Is this situation acceptable? If not, give some suggestions about how to improve it. ANSWER : -This
situation may be somewhat uncomfortable for the patient and the phlebotomist because there is no
need for the phlebotomist to hear about the abnormal result. However, if the phlebotomist could simply
ask "would you like some privacy while you discuss the results? Can I come back in a few minutes". It
might be that the patient would prefer to get the blood specimen taken care of and she would not mind
discussing the chest x-ray during the procedure. However, it is probably best to have her undivided
attention during the venipuncture procedure. Take verbal cues from both the patient and nurse and act
responsibly and professionally.
