CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Technician) Practice Exam

What is the most important thing to identify prior to obtaining a specimen?

1. A. Patient's insurance information

2. B. Patient's hair color

3. C. Patient's ID number

4. D. Patient ID

The correct answer is: D. Patient ID

Identifying the patient correctly before obtaining a specimen is crucial in phlebotomy. Proper patient identification, typically achieved through a patient ID, ensures that the specimen collected is accurately linked to the right individual. This reduces the risk of errors such as mislabeling specimens, which can lead to incorrect diagnoses and treatment plans. The primary role of the patient ID is to verify the identity of the patient through methods such as checking wristbands or using verbal confirmation. This is a fundamental step in phlebotomy procedures to uphold patient safety and ensure the integrity of laboratory results. While obtaining a patient's insurance information or noting their hair color may be relevant in specific contexts, they do not serve the critical function that patient identification does in avoiding mix-ups and ensuring that the needed procedures are conducted correctly based on the right patient’s medical history and requirements. Similarly, a patient’s ID number may provide some identification but does not encompass the comprehensive and direct verification made through the patient ID system, which is vital during the specimen collection process.