FISCHBACH'S A MANUAL OF
LABORATORY AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS.
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)FRANCES FISCHBACH;
MARGARET FISCHBACH; KATE STOUT
TESTBANKS
1)
Reference
Ch. 1 — Diagnostic Testing: Pre-analytic errors and patient
identification
Stem
A nurse prepares to collect a blood sample for STAT potassium
on a confused, multiple-trauma patient who is not wearing an
ID band. Which action best prevents a pre-analytic error?
A. Collect the sample immediately and label it later at the
nurses’ station.
B. Ask a family member to confirm the patient’s name and date
,of birth and label the specimen.
C. Apply a temporary ID band created from the chart and then
verify identity with two identifiers before collection.
D. Use the patient’s room number and bedside whiteboard
name to label the specimen.
Correct answer: C
Rationale — Correct (C)
Applying a temporary ID band and using two patient identifiers
before collection prevents misidentification and pre-analytic
errors. Accurate bedside identification is a foundational step in
specimen integrity and patient safety.
Rationales — Incorrect
A. Labeling later increases risk of mislabeling and specimen-to-
patient mismatch.
B. Family confirmation is helpful but does not replace formal
two-identifier verification or an ID band.
D. Room numbers/whiteboards are not reliable unique
identifiers; they can change.
Teaching point (≤20 words)
Always verify two unique identifiers at the bedside before
specimen collection to avoid pre-analytic errors.
Citation
Fischbach, F., Fischbach, M., & Stout, K. (2021). A Manual of
Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
,2)
Reference
Ch. 1 — Diagnostic Testing: Specimen labeling and
documentation
Stem
After drawing blood for multiple labs, a nurse notices one tube
was labeled with the patient’s last name only. What is the next
best action?
A. Accept the label because last name is usually sufficient and
send the tube.
B. Relabel the tube at the nurses’ station using the chart
information.
C. Discard the tube and redraw the specimen after properly
identifying the patient and labeling at bedside.
D. Ask another nurse to initial the tube and send it.
Correct answer: C
Rationale — Correct (C)
Specimens with incomplete identifiers must be rejected and
recollected after proper bedside identification and labeling to
avoid reporting errors and patient harm.
Rationales — Incorrect
A. Last name alone is insufficient and risks misidentification.
B. Relabeling away from bedside risks linking the wrong
specimen to the patient.
, D. Initialing without proper identification does not correct the
labeling error.
Teaching point (≤20 words)
Never relabel away from the bedside — redraw if identifiers are
incomplete or missing.
Citation
Fischbach, F., Fischbach, M., & Stout, K. (2021). A Manual of
Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3)
Reference
Ch. 1 — Diagnostic Testing: Fasting and patient preparation
Stem
A patient scheduled for a fasting lipid panel ate breakfast by
mistake. Which is the nurse’s best next step?
A. Proceed with the draw; note patient ate and report results as
usual.
B. Cancel the test and reschedule for proper fasting to ensure
valid results.
C. Draw the sample and mark it “nonfasting”; accept that values
will be slightly altered.
D. Give the patient light exercise to counteract the food effect
and then draw.
Correct answer: B
LABORATORY AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS.
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)FRANCES FISCHBACH;
MARGARET FISCHBACH; KATE STOUT
TESTBANKS
1)
Reference
Ch. 1 — Diagnostic Testing: Pre-analytic errors and patient
identification
Stem
A nurse prepares to collect a blood sample for STAT potassium
on a confused, multiple-trauma patient who is not wearing an
ID band. Which action best prevents a pre-analytic error?
A. Collect the sample immediately and label it later at the
nurses’ station.
B. Ask a family member to confirm the patient’s name and date
,of birth and label the specimen.
C. Apply a temporary ID band created from the chart and then
verify identity with two identifiers before collection.
D. Use the patient’s room number and bedside whiteboard
name to label the specimen.
Correct answer: C
Rationale — Correct (C)
Applying a temporary ID band and using two patient identifiers
before collection prevents misidentification and pre-analytic
errors. Accurate bedside identification is a foundational step in
specimen integrity and patient safety.
Rationales — Incorrect
A. Labeling later increases risk of mislabeling and specimen-to-
patient mismatch.
B. Family confirmation is helpful but does not replace formal
two-identifier verification or an ID band.
D. Room numbers/whiteboards are not reliable unique
identifiers; they can change.
Teaching point (≤20 words)
Always verify two unique identifiers at the bedside before
specimen collection to avoid pre-analytic errors.
Citation
Fischbach, F., Fischbach, M., & Stout, K. (2021). A Manual of
Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
,2)
Reference
Ch. 1 — Diagnostic Testing: Specimen labeling and
documentation
Stem
After drawing blood for multiple labs, a nurse notices one tube
was labeled with the patient’s last name only. What is the next
best action?
A. Accept the label because last name is usually sufficient and
send the tube.
B. Relabel the tube at the nurses’ station using the chart
information.
C. Discard the tube and redraw the specimen after properly
identifying the patient and labeling at bedside.
D. Ask another nurse to initial the tube and send it.
Correct answer: C
Rationale — Correct (C)
Specimens with incomplete identifiers must be rejected and
recollected after proper bedside identification and labeling to
avoid reporting errors and patient harm.
Rationales — Incorrect
A. Last name alone is insufficient and risks misidentification.
B. Relabeling away from bedside risks linking the wrong
specimen to the patient.
, D. Initialing without proper identification does not correct the
labeling error.
Teaching point (≤20 words)
Never relabel away from the bedside — redraw if identifiers are
incomplete or missing.
Citation
Fischbach, F., Fischbach, M., & Stout, K. (2021). A Manual of
Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3)
Reference
Ch. 1 — Diagnostic Testing: Fasting and patient preparation
Stem
A patient scheduled for a fasting lipid panel ate breakfast by
mistake. Which is the nurse’s best next step?
A. Proceed with the draw; note patient ate and report results as
usual.
B. Cancel the test and reschedule for proper fasting to ensure
valid results.
C. Draw the sample and mark it “nonfasting”; accept that values
will be slightly altered.
D. Give the patient light exercise to counteract the food effect
and then draw.
Correct answer: B
