Question

A phlebotomist has received a requisition to collect a blood specimen on a patient infected with diphtheria. The phlebotomist must be sure to follow what precautions?

A. standard precautions and airborne precautions
B. droplet precautions and contact precautions.
C. standard, airborne, droplet and contact precautions.
D. droplet precautions and airborne precautions.

Answer 1

Phlebotomists must follow standard, airborne, droplet, and contact precautions when collecting a blood specimen from a patient infected with diphtheria.

Step-by-step explanation:

When collecting a blood specimen from a patient infected with diphtheria, the phlebotomist must follow standard, airborne, droplet, and contact precautions. Diphtheria is a contagious respiratory disease that spreads through respiratory droplets, so airborne and droplet precautions are necessary to prevent transmission. Additionally, contact precautions are important to prevent the spread of the infection through direct contact with the patient or contaminated surfaces.

Answer 2

A phlebotomist must follow droplet precautions and contact precautions when collecting a blood specimen from a patient with diphtheria.

Step-by-step explanation:

A phlebotomist who is collecting a blood specimen from a patient infected with diphtheria must adhere to specific precautionary measures due to the contagious nature of the infection. The correct precautions for this situation are droplet precautions and contact precautions. Diphtheria is typically spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes but can also be spread through contact with contaminated objects or surfaces. Thus, to prevent transmission of the disease, phlebotomists should use a mask to protect against droplets and should wear gloves and possibly a gown to prevent contact transmission. Additionally, frequent hand hygiene and proper disposal of contaminated materials are imperative to ensuring the phlebotomist's safety and preventing the spread of the infection.