Which of the following is the first step a phlebotomist should take to prevent the spread of infection?
Wearing gloves for any patient contact
Washing hands with antimicrobial soap and water
Applying antiseptic to the puncture sites prior to venipuncture
Decontaminating the equipment before use
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason:
Wearing gloves is an important step in preventing the spread of infection, but it is not the first step. Gloves provide a barrier between the phlebotomist's hands and the patient, which can help prevent the transmission of pathogens. However, gloves can still become contaminated, and if hand hygiene is not performed before donning gloves, pathogens can be transmitted when gloves are changed or removed.
Choice B reason:
Hand hygiene is widely recognized as the single most important practice in preventing the spread of infections. It is the first line of defense against the transmission of infectious agents. Washing hands with antimicrobial soap and water mechanically removes pathogens, and the antimicrobial agents in the soap can kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. This step is crucial before any patient contact, especially before invasive procedures like venipuncture.
Choice C reason:
Applying antiseptic to the puncture sites prior to venipuncture is a critical step in the prevention of infection at the site of the blood draw. This practice is essential for eliminating skin flora that could potentially enter the bloodstream during venipuncture. However, this is not the first step, as effective hand hygiene should precede any patient contact or procedure.
Choice D reason:
Decontaminating equipment before use is a necessary step to ensure that no infectious agents are transmitted via medical instruments. This includes cleaning and sterilizing equipment that comes into direct contact with the patient. While this is a vital part of infection control, it follows hand hygiene in the sequence of steps a phlebotomist should take.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Signing a release for laboratory results is a form of expressed consent, not implied consent. Expressed consent is given explicitly, either orally or in writing, and is clearly and unmistakably communicated.
Choice B Reason:
Similarly, signing a document of agreement for a research study is another example of expressed consent. The patient is actively agreeing to participate in the study, which is a direct and informed action.
Choice C Reason:
Implied consent occurs when a patient's actions suggest consent without verbal or written confirmation. Offering an arm to a phlebotomist is a non-verbal communication that implies the patient is willing to have their blood drawn. This is a common practice in medical settings where the action of presenting an arm indicates readiness for the procedure.
Choice D Reason:
A family member nodding for a phlebotomist to proceed does not constitute the patient's implied consent. Consent must come directly from the patient unless they are unable to provide it, in which case a legal surrogate may give consent on their behalf.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Quality control measurements are essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of blood glucose monitors. According to best practices, all blood glucose monitors in use, regardless of their origin, should undergo daily quality control checks. This is to verify that the monitors are functioning correctly and providing accurate readings, which is crucial for patient care and treatment decisions.
Choice B reason:
Focusing only on the blood glucose monitors from the new office for daily quality control measurements is not sufficient. While new equipment may be less likely to have wear-and-tear issues that could affect performance, it is still subject to potential inaccuracies and must be included in the daily quality control routine.
Choice C reason:
Similarly, excluding the new monitors and only checking those from the old medical office would neglect the possibility of inaccuracies in the newer equipment. All monitors, irrespective of their age, can experience calibration drift or other issues that affect their performance.
Choice D reason:
Opting not to perform daily quality control measurements on any of the blood glucose monitors would be against the recommended guidelines and could lead to inaccurate blood glucose readings. This could have serious implications for patient health, particularly in the management of diabetes.
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