When performing a blood smear, which of the following actions should a phlebotomist take to ensure a quality result?

Choice A Reason:
Standard precautions are a set of infection control practices used to prevent transmission of diseases that can be acquired by contact with blood, body fluids, non-intact skin (including rashes), and mucous membranes. These measures are to be applied to all patients, regardless of their diagnosis or presumed infection status. Standard precautions include hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, safe injection practices, safe handling of potentially contaminated equipment or surfaces in the patient environment, and aseptic technique.

Choice B Reason:
Safety devices, such as needles with engineered sharps injury protections, are designed to prevent needlestick injuries and the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. While they are an important aspect of a phlebotomist's work, they are not specifically part of the aseptic technique protocol. Aseptic technique focuses on preventing contamination of sterile surfaces and materials to prevent infection.

Choice C Reason:
Quality control logs are records that document the performance of equipment and procedures to ensure they meet the required standards. They are essential for maintaining the integrity of laboratory results and ensuring patient safety. However, quality control logs themselves are not a component of the aseptic technique protocol, which is more concerned with the immediate prevention of infection during clinical procedures.

Choice D Reason:
A disaster emergency plan is a comprehensive document outlining the actions to be taken in case of an emergency. This plan is crucial for ensuring safety and continuity of care during unexpected events but is not related to the aseptic technique protocol. Aseptic technique is a method used to prevent infection during medical procedures by maintaining a sterile environment.

Choice A Reason:
When a patient is under "Contact Precautions," it is recommended that healthcare workers don a gown upon entering the patient's room. This is to prevent the spread of infection through contact with the patient or their environment. The gown should be removed before leaving the room to avoid contaminating other areas.

Choice B Reason:
While a face shield may be necessary for certain procedures, it is not specifically required for "Contact Precautions." The primary concern with contact precautions is preventing the transmission of infections through touch, not through droplets, which is what a face shield would protect against.

Choice C Reason:
Donning a mask is not a standard requirement for "Contact Precautions" unless there is a risk of droplet transmission. In this scenario, the precautions are specifically for contact, and therefore, a mask alone would not be sufficient.

Choice D Reason:
Gloves should be donned before any potential contact with the patient or their immediate environment, not just after cleaning and evaluating the venipuncture site. Gloves are a critical component of PPE when dealing with patients under "Contact Precautions."