A phlebotomist is preparing to collect a blood specimen from a patient who has self-reported needle phobia. Which of the following actions should the phlebotomist take?
Encourage the patient to chew gum during the procedure.
Instruct the patient to lie supine during the procedure.
Place the patient's elbow joint at 90 degrees of flexion.
Warm the site for 10 minutes before venipuncture.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason:
Encouraging the patient to chew gum during the procedure may serve as a distraction, which can be helpful for some patients. However, this is not a widely recommended practice for reducing needle phobia. Distraction techniques can be beneficial, but they should be tailored to the individual patient's preferences and should not interfere with the procedure.
Choice B Reason:
Instructing the patient to lie supine during the procedure can help prevent fainting and reduce anxiety for some patients. This position is often used for patients who have a history of fainting or feel dizzy during blood draws. However, it is not specifically targeted at managing needle phobia.
Choice C Reason:
Placing the patient's elbow joint at 90 degrees of flexion is a standard practice to stabilize the arm and provide an optimal angle for venipuncture. While this is a necessary step in the procedure, it does not directly address the patient's needle phobia.
Choice D Reason:
Warming the site for 10 minutes before venipuncture is a technique used to enhance vein visibility and elasticity, making the venipuncture easier and potentially less painful. This can be particularly helpful for patients with needle phobia, as a smoother and quicker procedure may reduce anxiety and discomfort.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
The standard recommendation for fasting before a blood specimen collection is typically between 8 to 12 hours¹²³. This duration is considered sufficient to ensure that food intake does not affect the blood test results, such as glucose or lipid levels.
Choice B reason:
A fasting period of 1 to 2 hours is too short and would not provide an accurate representation of the body's baseline levels for most tests that require fasting. It is important for certain levels, like blood sugar and lipids, to stabilize, which takes longer than 1 to 2 hours.
Choice C reason:
Fasting for 4 to 6 hours may be appropriate for some tests, but it is not the standard fasting duration for most blood tests that require fasting. The shorter time might not allow for the clearance of lipids and glucose from the bloodstream that can influence the test outcomes.
Choice D reason:
A 24-hour fast is generally not required for routine fasting blood tests and could be potentially harmful, as it may lead to hypoglycemia, especially in diabetic patients or those with metabolic disorders. It is excessive for the purposes of standard blood tests.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
A patient's room number is not a unique identifier as it is subject to change. Patients may be moved to different rooms during their hospital stay, and room numbers are not specific to individuals.
Choice B reason:
A patient's bed label is also not a unique identifier. Like room numbers, bed labels can change if patients are moved within the hospital for various reasons, such as changes in their medical condition or room availability.
Choice C reason:
The patient's inpatient chart demographic information is the correct unique identifier to use. This typically includes the patient's name, date of birth, and a unique medical record number assigned by the healthcare facility. These details are specific to the individual and do not change, making them reliable for patient identification.
Choice D reason:
A patient's verbal confirmation alone is not sufficient as a unique identifier. While it is important to engage the patient in the identification process, verbal confirmation must be used in conjunction with other identifiers to ensure accuracy, as patients may be confused or unable to communicate effectively.
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