Which of the following needle gauge ranges should a phlebotomist select when performing a venipuncture for blood donation?

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:
Sterile water is not an antiseptic; it does not contain antimicrobial agents. While it can be used to rinse a site, it will not disinfect the area before a venipuncture procedure. Therefore, it is not an appropriate substitute for alcohol in this context.

Choice B Reason:
Antiseptic foam may contain alcohol or other disinfectants. If it is alcohol-free, it could be a suitable alternative. However, without specific information about the ingredients, it cannot be assumed to be an appropriate choice for a patient allergic to alcohol.

Choice C Reason:
Chlorhexidine is a commonly used antiseptic for skin preparation before medical procedures, including venipuncture. It is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria and is an appropriate alternative for patients who have an allergy to alcohol-based antiseptics.

Choice D Reason:
Saline solution is not an antiseptic. It is a sterile solution of sodium chloride in water and does not have antimicrobial properties. Like sterile water, it is not suitable for disinfecting the venipuncture site.