Question

When encountering a patient who is sleeping, the phlebotornist should:

a. return at another time.
b. try to collect the specimen without waking the patient.
c. notify the nursing station.
d. awaken the patient before collecting the specimen

Answer 1

The phlebotomist should awaken the patient before collecting the specimen to ensure the patient's safety and consent, and verify that all necessary items and labels are prepared.

Step-by-step explanation:

When encountering a patient who is sleeping, the phlebotomist should awaken the patient before collecting the specimen. It is important for the safety and consent of the patient that they are aware a procedure is being performed. Before awakening the patient, the phlebotomist must have all necessary items verified such as the name of the procedure, that the needle, sponge, and instrument counts are complete, and that any specimen collected will be correctly labeled with the patient's name. Moreover, it is crucial to communicate with the nursing staff regarding the patient's status and any concerns about the equipment.