To confirm a patient's identity before a venipuncture, which action should the medical assistant take?

To confirm a patient's identity before a venipuncture, the most effective action is to ask the patient to state and spell their full name while also providing their date of birth. This method ensures an accurate identification by directly engaging the patient, which minimizes the risk of errors associated with misidentification. Verifying both the name and date of birth is vital because these identifiers are unique to each patient and can help confirm their identity against medical records or lab orders, ensuring that the right patient is receiving the correct procedure.

Using the patient's name and date of birth also aligns with standard safety protocols in healthcare settings, which emphasize the importance of double-checking patient information to prevent mistakes that could lead to significant health risks or treatment errors. It promotes a culture of safety and enhances communication between the patient and healthcare provider.

While requesting an insurance card or driver's license may offer some identification, these methods might not be as reliable since they can be outdated or inaccurate. Checking a medical record may not sufficiently confirm a patient’s identity at the moment of the procedure without direct interaction with the patient, making it less effective in this context.