California Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

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If a patient is admitted for life-threatening cardiac symptoms, what action should the phlebotomy technician take?

  1. Call for help

  2. Proceed with collecting the patient's blood

  3. Wait for the doctor’s order

  4. Perform an immediate ECG

The correct answer is: Proceed with collecting the patient's blood

In a situation where a patient is admitted with life-threatening cardiac symptoms, the priority is to ensure the patient receives timely medical intervention. Proceeding with collecting the patient's blood is essential because prompt blood tests can provide crucial information regarding the patient's condition. These tests can help detect markers for myocardial infarction or other cardiac issues, allowing the healthcare team to make informed decisions quickly. While calling for help is necessary in emergencies, it does not directly address the immediate need for diagnostic information that blood tests can provide. Waiting for a doctor's order could delay critical treatment, as in emergency situations, the protocol often allows for certain procedures, like blood draws, to be performed without prior orders to expedite care. Performing an ECG is important as well, but the phlebotomy technician may not be the one responsible for this action. Therefore, collecting blood samples can be a vital step in the emergency response, facilitating rapid evaluation and treatment based on laboratory results.