Final answer:
A phlebotomy technician should ask the patient when their last dose of vancomycin was administered to ensure the proper timing for the peak level blood draw. If the patient is unable to provide an accurate time, verifying this information through medical records would be necessary to ensure accuracy.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the case of a phlebotomy technician preparing to collect a vancomycin peak level, the most critical step prior to drawing blood is to ensure the timing of the collection corresponds accurately with the dosing schedule of the medication. This is important because the peak level should reflect the highest concentration of the drug in the patient's bloodstream after a dose has been administered and had time to reach peak levels.
The correct action the technician should take is A. Ask the patient when he received his last dose of vancomycin. The timing of the peak level blood draw typically needs to be done within a certain time frame after the vancomycin has been administered—often around 1 to 2 hours post dose for peak levels. Since the vancomycin level is dosage and patient-specific, asking the patient directly can be the most immediate and reliable method to verify the time of the last dose, as long as the patient is able to provide this information accurately. Should the patient be unable to provide the information, or for confirmation purposes, the technician may also check the medication administration record (MAR), which would typically be done in coordination with the attending nurse or the patient's medical record. This ensures that the dosage information is consistent with the institution's records.