ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology) Phlebotomy Technician Certification Practice Exam

Prior to performing a venipuncture, verifying the patient's name and date of birth is essential to ensure proper identification. This step is crucial to confirm that the right patient is being treated and that the correct tests will be performed. Mismatches in patient identification can lead to potentially dangerous errors, including misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment based on erroneous lab results.

The other options, while they may hold some relevance in the context of the procedure, do not directly affect patient safety to the same extent. Monitoring the phlebotomist's certification is important for overall compliance and professional standards, but it is a matter of institutional protocol rather than direct patient care. The time of day may influence test results for certain analyses, but it is secondary to ensuring the right patient is receiving the correct procedure. Lastly, knowing the total number of specimens needed may assist in preparation but does not impact the fundamental step of accurate patient identification.