NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)Collection RoutineMedium
A phlebotomy technician is collecting a blood specimen for a fasting glucose test. The patient states they had a small snack about an hour ago. Which of the following actions should the technician take?
- AInform the patient that the test cannot be performed as a fasting specimen.
- BAsk the patient to drink a glass of water and wait another hour before drawing.
- CProceed with the draw and note the snack on the requisition.
- DCollect the specimen and instruct the patient to fast for 8 hours for a redraw.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Inform the patient that the test cannot be performed as a fasting specimen.
A fasting glucose test requires the patient to have abstained from food and drink (except water) for typically 8-12 hours. A snack an hour prior invalidates the fasting status, making the results unreliable. The technician should not proceed with the draw as a 'fasting' specimen.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Drinking water is usually allowed, but waiting an hour after a snack is insufficient for a true fasting state.
- C. Noting the snack is helpful, but the specimen will not be a true fasting glucose and may be rejected.
- D. Collecting a non-fasting specimen for a fasting test is inappropriate and leads to inaccurate results.
Fasting Specimen Integrity
The requirement for a patient to abstain from food and drink (except water) for a specified period (typically 8-12 hours) before blood collection for certain tests, ensuring accurate baseline measurements.
- Essential for tests like glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides.
- Non-fasting status invalidates results for fasting tests.
- Technician must verify fasting status before collection.
- If not fasting, reschedule the draw or consult the ordering provider.
Memory trick: PREP Check: Patient ID, Requisition, Evaluate Fasting, Prepare Site.