Question

A medical assistant is in an outpatient facility preparing a patient for a venipuncture. What action should the assistant take to confirm the patient's identity?

1) Ask the patient to state their name and date of birth
2) Check the patient's identification bracelet
3) Ask the patient to verify their address
4) Ask the patient if they have any allergies

Answer 1

The medical assistant should ask the patient to state their name and date of birth and check the identification bracelet to confirm the patient's identity before performing a venipuncture.

Step-by-step explanation:

To confirm the patient's identity before a venipuncture, the medical assistant should ask the patient to state their name and date of birth. This is a critical step in the process, ensuring the right patient receives the procedure. In addition to patient interaction, checking the patient's identification bracelet provides a secondary verification to match the patient with their medical records. Familiarizing all members of the healthcare team with the patient's name, allergies, and procedure is a cornerstone of patient safety and reduces the risk of medical errors.