NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)Collection RoutineEasy
A phlebotomy technician is preparing to perform a venipuncture on a patient. Which of the following information should the technician verify from the requisition form before proceeding?
- APatient's primary care physician and contact information
- BPatient's preferred pharmacy and medication list
- CPatient's full name and date of birth
- DPatient's insurance provider and policy number
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Patient's full name and date of birth
Before performing any procedure, it is crucial to accurately identify the patient to ensure the correct tests are performed on the correct individual. The patient's full name and date of birth are standard identifiers used for this purpose.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This information is part of the patient's medical record but is not used for direct patient identification prior to venipuncture.
- B. Medication lists are important for patient care, but not for verifying identity before a blood draw.
- D. While important for billing, insurance information is not a primary identifier for patient safety during specimen collection.
Patient Identification
The process of verifying a patient's identity using at least two unique identifiers before performing any medical procedure, including venipuncture, to ensure the correct patient receives the correct care.
- Crucial for patient safety.
- Requires at least two identifiers.
- Identifiers should be unique to the patient.
Memory trick: Two IDs for You and Me!