A serum sample has TSH, FT4, and osmolality ordered, but the requisition shows a patient name mismatch (Jane Rodgers vs Jane Robinson). The TSH and FT4 results have been verified. What should the technologist do?

Prepare for the CAMLPR Specimen Collection Competency Test. Practice with diverse question sets including multiple-choice and flashcards. Each question includes hints and explanations to help you become proficient before the exam.

Multiple Choice

A serum sample has TSH, FT4, and osmolality ordered, but the requisition shows a patient name mismatch (Jane Rodgers vs Jane Robinson). The TSH and FT4 results have been verified. What should the technologist do?

Accurate patient identification is essential in the lab. When the specimen label and the requisition don’t match, processing must stop to prevent misattributing results to the wrong person. In this case, the name discrepancy (Jane Rodgers vs Jane Robinson) means the sample cannot be trusted for reporting, even though the TSH and FT4 results are verified. The correct action is to reject the specimen due to the mismatch and immediately alert the clinical unit to resolve the identity issue before any results are released or additional testing is performed. This protects patient safety and maintains the integrity of the testing workflow. Trying to correct and suppress the verified results or proceed with osmolality would risk reporting data for the wrong patient. Canceling the osmolality test and delaying the mismatch resolution delays care and doesn’t address the identification issue. Writing an incident report without rejecting the specimen leaves the sample in limbo and continues the risk of misidentification. Once the discrepancy is resolved, the specimen can be recollected with proper identification.

Accurate patient identification is essential in the lab. When the specimen label and the requisition don’t match, processing must stop to prevent misattributing results to the wrong person. In this case, the name discrepancy (Jane Rodgers vs Jane Robinson) means the sample cannot be trusted for reporting, even though the TSH and FT4 results are verified.

The correct action is to reject the specimen due to the mismatch and immediately alert the clinical unit to resolve the identity issue before any results are released or additional testing is performed. This protects patient safety and maintains the integrity of the testing workflow.

Trying to correct and suppress the verified results or proceed with osmolality would risk reporting data for the wrong patient. Canceling the osmolality test and delaying the mismatch resolution delays care and doesn’t address the identification issue. Writing an incident report without rejecting the specimen leaves the sample in limbo and continues the risk of misidentification. Once the discrepancy is resolved, the specimen can be recollected with proper identification.

More practice questions