If a specimen labeling is inconsistent with the requisition, what is the proper action?

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.

When labeling doesn’t match the requisition, the safest and correct action is to reject the specimen and notify the clinical unit to resolve the discrepancy. This protects patient safety by ensuring the right patient is matched to the right test and prevents reporting results to the wrong person or for the wrong test. Do not relabel in the lab, as that bypasses proper verification and can break the chain of custody. Testing without verification is not acceptable, and asking the patient to confirm details and then proceed introduces delays and potential errors—proper resolution should come through the clinical team with a correctly labeled specimen.