Patient PreparationDifficulty 3/5
What is the correct way to positively identify an inpatient before a draw?
- AConfirm the room and bed number against the requisition before approaching
- BAsk the nurse on duty to confirm the identity of the patient being drawn
- CAsk the patient to state their identifiers and match them to the requisition
- DRead the name from the wristband and ask the patient to confirm it is correct
Show answer and rationale
Correct: C. The patient states their own identifiers and you match them; that is what makes the identification positive. Reading a name and inviting agreement lets a confused or hard-of-hearing patient assent to the wrong one.
- D — Asking a patient to confirm a name you supplied invites a false yes rather than testing identity.
- A — Room and bed numbers change and are not patient identifiers.
- B — Delegating identification does not satisfy the phlebotomist's own verification obligation.