FISCHBACH'S A MANUAL OF
LABORATORY AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS.
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)FRANCES FISCHBACH;
MARGARET FISCHBACH; KATE STOUT
TESTBANKS
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Pretest: Patient Identification & Specimen Labeling
Stem
A nurse prepares to send a blood sample from Mr. K for urgent
serum potassium testing. The phlebotomy label is filled out but
the patient’s armband is missing. Which action best reflects
safe, guideline-based practice before drawing and sending the
specimen?
A. Proceed with venipuncture using the room number and label
the specimen later.
,B. Ask another staff member to verbally confirm the patient’s
identity and label immediately.
C. Delay specimen collection until the nurse can positively
identify the patient at bedside.
D. Draw the specimen, label at the bedside, and notify the unit
clerk about the missing armband.
Correct answer
C
Rationales
Correct: Positive patient identification at bedside is required to
avoid misidentification and specimen errors; tests—especially
urgent ones—must be linked to the correctly identified patient
before collection. The chapter emphasizes verifying identity
before specimen collection.
A: Using room number risks wrong-patient error—
contraindicated.
B: Verbal confirmation by another staff member is insufficient
without bedside ID; risk remains high.
D: Labeling after draw increases risk of mislabeling; bedside ID
before draw is required.
Teaching point
Always verify patient identity at bedside before specimen
collection.
Citation
Fischbach, F., Fischbach, M., & Stout, K. (2021). A Manual of
Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
,2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Pretest: Patient Preparation & Fasting Requirements
Stem
Ms. J is scheduled for a fasting lipid panel at 0800. She ate a
small breakfast at 0600 because she was confused about
instructions. Which action should the nurse take to ensure valid
results and quality care?
A. Proceed with blood draw and record that the patient ate
breakfast.
B. Cancel the test and reschedule for another day after proper
fasting.
C. Draw the specimen but order a nonfasting panel instead.
D. Proceed, but request repeat fasting sample within 24 hours.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct: When pretest fasting is required, testing should be
postponed/rescheduled to obtain a valid fasting specimen; the
chapter emphasizes adherence to proper preparation to avoid
invalid results.
A: Proceeding would produce unreliable lipid results and could
mislead clinical decisions.
C: If provider expects fasting panel, changing to nonfasting
, requires provider/physician order; nurse should notify provider
and follow orders.
D: Drawing then repeating is not appropriate—initial nonfasting
result may lead to confusion; better to reschedule.
Teaching point
Follow required pretest preparation; reschedule if fasting
instructions are not met.
Citation
Fischbach, F., Fischbach, M., & Stout, K. (2021). A Manual of
Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Preanalytic Interfering Factors (Medications &
Biological Variables)
Stem
A patient on high-dose biotin presents for multiple
immunoassays. The lab comments that biotin may interfere
with assay results. What should the nurse include in the report
to the provider and lab?
A. Document medication only in the nursing note; no further
action needed.
B. Notify the laboratory and include biotin use on the
requisition and specimen label/record.
C. Ask the patient to stop biotin immediately and collect
LABORATORY AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS.
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)FRANCES FISCHBACH;
MARGARET FISCHBACH; KATE STOUT
TESTBANKS
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Pretest: Patient Identification & Specimen Labeling
Stem
A nurse prepares to send a blood sample from Mr. K for urgent
serum potassium testing. The phlebotomy label is filled out but
the patient’s armband is missing. Which action best reflects
safe, guideline-based practice before drawing and sending the
specimen?
A. Proceed with venipuncture using the room number and label
the specimen later.
,B. Ask another staff member to verbally confirm the patient’s
identity and label immediately.
C. Delay specimen collection until the nurse can positively
identify the patient at bedside.
D. Draw the specimen, label at the bedside, and notify the unit
clerk about the missing armband.
Correct answer
C
Rationales
Correct: Positive patient identification at bedside is required to
avoid misidentification and specimen errors; tests—especially
urgent ones—must be linked to the correctly identified patient
before collection. The chapter emphasizes verifying identity
before specimen collection.
A: Using room number risks wrong-patient error—
contraindicated.
B: Verbal confirmation by another staff member is insufficient
without bedside ID; risk remains high.
D: Labeling after draw increases risk of mislabeling; bedside ID
before draw is required.
Teaching point
Always verify patient identity at bedside before specimen
collection.
Citation
Fischbach, F., Fischbach, M., & Stout, K. (2021). A Manual of
Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
,2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Pretest: Patient Preparation & Fasting Requirements
Stem
Ms. J is scheduled for a fasting lipid panel at 0800. She ate a
small breakfast at 0600 because she was confused about
instructions. Which action should the nurse take to ensure valid
results and quality care?
A. Proceed with blood draw and record that the patient ate
breakfast.
B. Cancel the test and reschedule for another day after proper
fasting.
C. Draw the specimen but order a nonfasting panel instead.
D. Proceed, but request repeat fasting sample within 24 hours.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct: When pretest fasting is required, testing should be
postponed/rescheduled to obtain a valid fasting specimen; the
chapter emphasizes adherence to proper preparation to avoid
invalid results.
A: Proceeding would produce unreliable lipid results and could
mislead clinical decisions.
C: If provider expects fasting panel, changing to nonfasting
, requires provider/physician order; nurse should notify provider
and follow orders.
D: Drawing then repeating is not appropriate—initial nonfasting
result may lead to confusion; better to reschedule.
Teaching point
Follow required pretest preparation; reschedule if fasting
instructions are not met.
Citation
Fischbach, F., Fischbach, M., & Stout, K. (2021). A Manual of
Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Preanalytic Interfering Factors (Medications &
Biological Variables)
Stem
A patient on high-dose biotin presents for multiple
immunoassays. The lab comments that biotin may interfere
with assay results. What should the nurse include in the report
to the provider and lab?
A. Document medication only in the nursing note; no further
action needed.
B. Notify the laboratory and include biotin use on the
requisition and specimen label/record.
C. Ask the patient to stop biotin immediately and collect
