If a patient's name is not located on the requisition order, which of the following is the next acceptable way to identify the patient in the hospital?
Date of birth
Record number
Address
Social security number
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason:
The date of birth is a common identifier, but it is not unique to an individual, as multiple patients may share the same birth date. While it is useful in conjunction with other identifiers, on its own, it does not provide a definitive identification.
Choice B reason:
The record number, often referred to as the medical record number, is a unique identifier assigned to each patient within a healthcare system. It is used to track patient information across different visits and services, making it the most reliable standalone identifier if the patient's name is not available.
Choice C reason:
An address can change over time and may not be unique, especially in large apartment buildings or for patients who are homeless or transient. It is also not specific enough to reliably identify a patient, as multiple individuals can reside at the same address.
Choice D reason:
The social security number is a unique identifier, but due to privacy concerns and the risk of identity theft, it is not the preferred method for patient identification in healthcare settings. Additionally, not all patients may have a social security number, such as non-residents or newborns.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Heparin is an anticoagulant, not a clot activator. It works by inhibiting thrombin and preventing the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, thus preventing clot formation. It is commonly found in green-top tubes and is suitable for collecting plasma samples for tests like electrolyte levels and coagulation studies.
Choice B reason:
Oxalate is also an anticoagulant that prevents clotting by precipitating calcium. It is not used to promote clot formation but rather to maintain a blood sample in a non-coagulated state for various tests.
Choice C reason:
Citrate functions similarly to heparin and oxalate as an anticoagulant. It chelates calcium ions in the blood, inhibiting the coagulation process. Citrate is often used in blue-top tubes and is ideal for collecting plasma samples for coagulation studies.
Choice D reason:
Silica is a clot activator. It is commonly used in serum separator tubes (SSTs) with a gold or red speckled top. The silica particles provide a surface for the rapid formation of the clot, allowing for the separation of serum from the blood cells. This is essential when serum is needed for testing.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Holding the two slides at a 90-degree angle is not the correct technique for performing a blood smear. This angle is too steep and would not allow the blood to spread thinly across the slide, which is necessary for creating a quality smear that can be examined under a microscope.
Choice B reason:
Allowing the blood drop to clot slightly before performing the smear is not advisable. Clotting can interfere with the spread of the blood and the formation of a monolayer, which is essential for accurate microscopic examination. The blood should be fresh and anticoagulated to prevent clotting.
Choice C reason:
Holding the slides at a 30-degree angle is the correct technique for performing a blood smear. This angle allows the spreader slide to push the blood drop smoothly across the patient slide, creating a thin, even layer of blood that is ideal for microscopic analysis. The angle, speed, and pressure must be consistent to achieve a quality smear.
Choice D reason:
Allowing the blood drop to clot completely before performing the smear would make it impossible to create a smear. Clotted blood cannot be spread into a thin layer, which is necessary for microscopic examination of the blood cells.
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