A phlebotomist should explain the procedure prior to venipuncture to:

Choice A Reason:
Using only one patient identifier is not sufficient to ensure patient safety and accuracy in healthcare settings. It increases the risk of misidentification, which can lead to serious medical errors. Therefore, one identifier is not the standard practice for patient verification before a blood draw.

Choice B Reason:
While two identifiers are commonly used in many healthcare settings as a minimum requirement, they may not always provide enough differentiation, especially in larger facilities where patient names may be similar. Two identifiers are often the minimum standard, but they are not the most comprehensive approach.

Choice C Reason:
Three unique patient identifiers provide a more robust method for verifying a patient's identity, significantly reducing the likelihood of errors. According to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), three identifiers are recommended to ensure the correct patient is being collected. This may include the patient's full name, date of birth, and medical record number or another unique identifier.

Choice D Reason:
While using four unique identifiers could further reduce the risk of patient misidentification, it is not typically required as the standard minimum. Three identifiers are generally considered adequate for most healthcare settings to ensure patient safety and proper identification.

Choice A reason:
Gastrin is a hormone that stimulates the secretion of gastric acid by the stomach. While it is a critical component in the digestive process, gastrin is not typically sensitive to light, and therefore, does not require protection from light during handling and transportation.

Choice B reason:
Ammonia testing involves measuring the amount of ammonia in the blood, which can indicate liver function and is used in the diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy. Ammonia levels are not generally affected by light; thus, special precautions to protect from light are not necessary.

Choice C reason:
Pyruvate is a key intermediate in several metabolic pathways throughout the cell. Pyruvate itself is not considered photosensitive, and standard precautions for handling and transportation are sufficient to maintain its integrity.

Choice D reason:
Bilirubin is a breakdown product of red blood cells and is measured to evaluate liver function and to assess jaundice. Bilirubin is known to be photosensitive; exposure to light can cause it to break down, which can affect the accuracy of test results. Therefore, specimens for bilirubin testing must be protected from light during handling and transportation to ensure valid results.