Phlebotomy patient identification practice questions, with every answer explained

1. Ask the nurse to place a band before drawing
2. Use the name on the door sign
3. Draw after the patient states their full name and date of birth
4. Tape a handwritten label to the wrist

Answer: A. Inpatients must have an attached ID band before collection. The phlebotomist asks the nursing staff to identify the patient and apply a band; the draw waits until then.

Why not B: Door and bed signs are not acceptable identifiers.

Why not C: Verbal ID alone is not enough for inpatients without a band; a band must be placed first.

Why not D: Only official ID bands applied by staff are used.

Exam tactic: No band, no blood.

1. No, a room number is not a patient identifier
2. Yes, name and room number are two identifiers
3. Yes, if the nurse is at the desk
4. Yes, if the patient is alert

Answer: A. Two patient-specific identifiers are needed, such as full name and date of birth or medical record number. A room or bed number is a location, not an identifier.

Why not B: Room number can change and other patients can occupy the same room.

Why not C: The nurse's presence elsewhere does not make a room number an identifier.

Why not D: Alertness does not change which identifiers are acceptable.

Exam tactic: Room numbers move. Identifiers don't.

1. By the name card on the bassinet
2. By the ID band on the infant, matched to the requisition
3. By asking the nurse caring for the twins to point out which infant is which
4. By the infant's weight on the chart

Answer: B. Newborns, including twins with similar temporary names, are identified by the ID band attached to the infant, matching the medical record number and other identifiers to the requisition.

Why not A: Bassinet cards are not attached to the infant and can be moved.

Why not C: Verbal confirmation from staff does not replace the ID band.

Why not D: Weight is not an identifier.

Exam tactic: Twins: the band on the baby decides.

1. The draw waits until the patient's name is known
2. Specimens are labeled 'unknown patient' until the family arrives to give a name
3. The phlebotomist assigns a nickname
4. A temporary ID band with a unique number is used

Answer: D. Facilities use a temporary identification system with a unique number on a band attached to the patient. All specimens carry it and records are cross-referenced once the patient's identity is known.

Why not A: Emergency testing cannot wait for a name.

Why not B: Specimens without a unique identifier cannot be matched safely.

Why not C: Made-up names are not a controlled identification system.

Exam tactic: Unknown patient: temporary ID band.

1. Do not draw, and notify the nurse to resolve the discrepancy
2. Use the newer looking band
3. Use the number that matches the requisition
4. Remove the band that does not match the requisition and proceed

Answer: A. Two different numbers mean the identity is not confirmed. The nurse must resolve the problem before any collection.

Why not B: The newer band is not necessarily correct.

Why not C: Choosing the matching number ignores a real discrepancy.

Why not D: Phlebotomists do not remove ID bands.

Exam tactic: Two bands, two numbers: no draw.

1. A special blood bank ID band applied at collection
2. A second tourniquet
3. A fasting specimen collected first thing in the morning before breakfast
4. Collection only in the morning

Answer: A. Many facilities use a separate blood bank identification system. A band with a unique number is applied at collection and the same number goes on the specimen.

Why not B: A tourniquet has nothing to do with identification.

Why not C: Transfusion testing does not require fasting.

Why not D: Timing of day is not the requirement.

Exam tactic: Blood bank: extra ID band.

1. It delays billing
2. It makes the testing take longer because the lab must repeat the type
3. It causes hemolysis in the tube
4. It can lead to the patient receiving incompatible blood

Answer: D. A wrong patient's blood type on file can lead to a transfusion of incompatible blood, which can cause a severe or fatal reaction.

Why not A: Billing delays are minor compared with patient harm.

Why not B: The danger is the wrong result, not a longer test.

Why not C: Misidentification does not damage cells in the tube.

Exam tactic: Wrong blood in tube, wrong blood in patient.

1. Leave the bed raised for the nurse
2. Make sure the bed is lowered, rails and call light are as found, and the patient is safe
3. Help the patient walk to the bathroom alone
4. Turn off the bed alarm

Answer: B. After the draw, the bed is returned to its low position, rails and call light are placed as found, and any alarm is left on.

Why not A: A raised bed increases fall injury risk.

Why not C: A fall risk patient should not be walked without proper help and orders.

Why not D: Alarms are safety devices and must stay on.

Exam tactic: Fall risk: leave it safer than you found it.

1. Draw, since the band is correct
2. Do not draw, and notify the nurse to resolve it
3. Correct the band yourself
4. Use the name the patient gave

Answer: B. Any identification discrepancy is resolved before collection. The nurse confirms the patient's identity and the band before the draw.

Why not A: A conflict must be resolved, even if the band seems right.

Why not C: Phlebotomists do not change ID bands.

Why not D: An unverified name cannot be used for labeling.

Exam tactic: Mismatch: stop and escalate.

1. Politely ask the patient to state their own name and date of birth
2. Accept the spouse's answers
3. Skip identification since the spouse knows the patient
4. Identify the patient from the requisition only

Answer: A. When the patient can answer, they should state their own identifiers. Others answer only when the patient cannot.

Why not B: The patient should answer when able.

Why not C: Identification is never skipped.

Why not D: The requisition alone cannot confirm who is in the chair.

Exam tactic: Able to answer? Patient answers.