Question

You work in a physician's office laboratory. A patient is waiting to have blood drawn. After reviewing the test order, you greet the patient and ask him to identify himself. He should not have eaten anything after 11 pm the previous night. The patient claims he knew of no such restrictions. What should you do?

a) Proceed with the blood draw
b) Ask for clarification from the physician
c) Inform the patient of the fasting requirement
d) Cancel the blood draw

Answer 1

In the scenario where a patient has not adhered to pre-blood draw fasting instructions, it is essential to consult the physician for guidance. Fasting is critical for the accuracy of certain tests, such as those used to diagnose and manage diabetes.

Step-by-step explanation:

When facing a situation where a patient has not followed fasting instructions before a blood draw, the correct course of action is to ask for clarification from the physician. The physician will decide whether to proceed with the blood draw or reschedule it. This is due to the importance of fasting in certain blood tests, such as those for diagnosing diabetes mellitus. For instance, endocrinologists diagnose diabetes by having the patient fast and then administering a sugary drink to assess how effectively the pancreas produces insulin, indicated by blood glucose levels. An A1C test, another important test for diabetes management, measures average blood glucose levels over several months and can be performed without fasting. However, if a fasting state is required for the accuracy of the test being administered, eating beforehand could lead to inaccurate results and an incorrect diagnosis.