Final answer:
It is true that healthcare workers should introduce themselves, explain the venipuncture procedure, and confirm patient identity before proceeding. Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, and research, while medical technologists perform the tests on these samples. In emergencies where blood type cannot be immediately determined, type O blood may be transfused because it is the universal donor type.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true: before performing venipuncture, it is crucial for healthcare professionals, such as nurses or phlebotomists, to introduce themselves, explain the procedure in understandable terms to the patient, and ensure patient identity is accurately confirmed. After these steps, they may safely proceed with the venipuncture. This process enhances patient safety and ensures proper procedural conduct.
It is the standard of care to verbally confirm several checkpoints with the patient and medical team. These include verifying the patient's identity, the procedure, and if consent has been obtained. The importance of reviewing whether all necessary equipment is functional, specimens are correctly labeled, and any potential allergy information is known by the team cannot be overstated.
In medical lab technology, professionals such as phlebotomists and medical technologists play a significant role. Phlebotomists are trained to draw blood, which may then be used for a variety of purposes including testing, transfusions, and research. The procedure they often use is venipuncture, particularly for obtaining larger blood samples. Medical technologists carry out tests on collected samples, aiding in diagnoses and monitoring. In urgent cases where there is severe bleeding, and the blood type of a patient cannot be identified in time, the transfusion of type O blood may be necessary because it is considered the universal donor type and is less likely to cause an adverse reaction.
When a patient's blood sample is tested for blood type and both anti-A and anti-B antibodies cause agglutination, this indicates that the blood type is AB positive, which is a normal response and not an error. This knowledge is essential for cross matching blood for transfusions, to prevent complications such as hemolytic reactions.