Specimen HandlingQuestion 59 of 100
When and where should blood tubes be labeled?
a.In the laboratory after delivery, using the requisition
b.At the patient's side immediately after collection, before leaving the patient
c.At the nurses' station after all patients on the floor are collected
d.Before the draw, so the tubes are ready
Explanation
Tubes are labeled at the bedside immediately after collection and before leaving the patient, which is the only point at which identity can still be verified against the patient. Pre-labeling risks putting the wrong patient's blood in an already labeled tube. Labeling later in the laboratory or at a workstation makes mislabeling likely and is a leading cause of transfusion and diagnostic errors.
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