Which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment should a phlebotomist wear to adhere to universal precautions in anticipation of body fluid splashes?

Choice A reason:
The patient's insurance provider name is not typically required on a CBC specimen label. While insurance information is crucial for billing purposes, it does not serve as an identifier for the specimen itself and is therefore not documented on the label.

Choice B reason:
The phlebotomist's full name is not a requirement for a CBC specimen label. The focus of documentation on the label is on patient identification and specimen integrity, not the identity of the healthcare professional collecting the specimen.

Choice C reason:
A phlebotomist's certification number is also not required on a CBC specimen label. While the phlebotomist's credentials are important for their professional status, they are not part of the necessary documentation for a specimen label.

Choice D reason:
The patient's identification number is a critical piece of information that must be documented on a CBC specimen label. This unique identifier links the specimen to the patient's medical record, ensuring that the test results are accurately recorded in the patient's health history.

Choice A reason:

Performing a heel stick on a 5-year-old patient is not an appropriate technique. Heel sticks are typically used for infants, particularly newborns, to minimize discomfort and because their finger pads may not be fully developed for finger sticks. By the age of 5, a child's veins are usually developed enough for venipuncture, which is the preferred method.

Choice B reason:

Performing a finger stick on a toddler patient is an appropriate technique for specimen collection. This method is commonly used for children who are not yet old enough for venipuncture but have outgrown the heel stick method. The finger stick is performed on the palmar surface of the distal phalanx, usually of the middle or ring finger, and is considered safe and effective for collecting small blood samples in toddlers.

Choice C reason:

Performing a thumb stick on an infant is not an appropriate technique. The thumb has a pulse and is more sensitive, which can cause unnecessary pain and distress to the infant. Additionally, the thumb's size and increased movement make it a less suitable site for specimen collection in infants.

Choice D reason:

Performing a thumb stick on a 5-year-old patient is also not an appropriate technique. As with infants, the thumb's sensitivity and the presence of a pulse make it a less desirable site for blood collection. For a 5-year-old, venipuncture or a finger stick on a non-thumb finger would be more appropriate and less distressing.