A phlebotomist has collected a lactic acid sample and needs to prepare the sample for processing and transportation. Which of the following methods is correct?

Choice A reason:
While ensuring that employees receive training regarding workplace hazards is important, it is not the general concept behind standard precautions. Training is a part of the broader safety measures but does not encompass the core idea of standard precautions, which is to prevent infection transmission.

Choice B reason:
Providing information about hazardous chemicals within the environment is related to the Right-to-Know standard, which is part of the Hazard Communication Standard. This is not the main concept of standard precautions, which focus on preventing the spread of infections, particularly in healthcare settings.

Choice C reason:
Assuming that all body fluids are potentially infected with bloodborne pathogens is the essence of standard precautions. This approach dictates that healthcare workers should treat all body fluids as if they are infectious and therefore use appropriate protective measures to prevent exposure and transmission of diseases.

Choice D reason:
Maintaining a workplace free of environmental hazards is a broad occupational safety goal but does not specifically describe the general concept behind standard precautions. Standard precautions are more focused on infection control practices rather than the broader scope of all environmental hazards.

Choice A Reason:
The patient's condition is a critical factor as it can influence the ease of blood collection and the choice of collection site. For example, a dehydrated patient may have less accessible veins. Patient age is also important; pediatric and geriatric patients may require different approaches due to vein size and fragility. The blood volume required for testing must be considered to ensure sufficient sample size without compromising patient safety, adhering to guidelines that limit blood collection to a certain percentage of the patient's total blood volume.

Choice B Reason:
While patient height and gender may influence the choice of blood collection site, they are not as critical as the factors listed in choice A. Patient medications are important to consider, as some medications may affect coagulation or the integrity of the sample.

Choice C Reason:
The ordering physician's preferences may be considered, but they are not a primary factor in the method of collection. The number of tests ordered and the diagnosis can influence the volume of blood needed but are secondary to the patient's condition and safety considerations.

Choice D Reason:
The time of day and the timing of the specimen collection can be important for certain tests that are time-sensitive or influenced by diurnal variations. The test status, whether routine or stat, may affect the urgency of collection but not necessarily the method of collection.