Vascular Access Exam Prep

Answer: D - The first step for a successful venipuncture is to determine the right patient, by identifying the patient. Selecting and preparing a suitable puncture site, correctly collecting samples (proper tubes, proper times) will not be successful, if the samples are drawn from the wrong patient. Outpatient facilities ask the patient their full name and birth date while comparing the answer provided against the requisition form, if the patient is unable to answer, a government- issued identification card, can aid in proper identification. If an inpatient is able to provide information, comparing the name and birth date printed on the patients’ wristband to the requisition is acceptable. Nurses can help identify an inpatient that is unable to answer. Blood should never be drawn from an inpatient that does not have proper facility-issued wristband.