Final answer:
It is true that a phlebotomist must immediately label a collected specimen with the patient's full name, time, date, and their initials while at the patient's side, to ensure accurate identification and integrity of test results in medical lab technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the phlebotomist must label the specimen immediately after obtaining the specimen and while still at the patient's side with a minimum of the patient's full name, time, date, and phlebotomist initials is true. It is critical to label the specimen correctly to ensure the integrity of the test results and patient safety. Proper labeling is part of the phlebotomist's duties and serves as a vital step in the pre-analytical phase of specimen handling. The labeling process includes the patient's full name, the date and time of collection, and the initials of the phlebotomist, among other potential details required by specific protocols. This procedure minimizes the risk of specimen misidentification and is a fundamental practice in medical lab technology.