What is the correct way to confirm the identity of an alert adult patient?
- Ask "Are you Mrs. Garcia?" and wait for the patient to nod
- Read the name on the door card and compare it to the order
- Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth
- Ask the patient's roommate to confirm who the patient is
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C. Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth
The patient states the information and the phlebotomist compares it with the requisition and wristband. A yes or no question is unsafe because a confused, sleepy or hard-of-hearing patient may agree to any name.
Reference: CLSI GP41: patient identification
An inpatient's wristband is not on the wrist; it is taped to the bedside table. What should the phlebotomist do?
- Use the band on the table, since it is in the correct patient's room
- Ask the nurse to identify the patient and attach a band before drawing
- Draw the blood and ask the nurse to confirm the identity afterwards
- Identify the patient from the name written on the chart at the bed
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B. Ask the nurse to identify the patient and attach a band before drawing
A band that is not attached to the patient cannot be trusted. The nurse must positively identify the patient and place a band before the draw; collecting first and confirming later defeats the purpose.
Reference: CLSI GP41: patient identification, inpatients
After the procedure is explained, an outpatient rolls up a sleeve and holds out an arm. What kind of consent is this?
- Informed written consent
- Expressed verbal consent
- Implied consent
- Consent by proxy
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C. Implied consent
Consent shown through actions, without words, is implied consent. Expressed consent would be the patient saying or writing that they agree.
Reference: Legal aspects: types of consent