American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnician Certification Practice Exam

During a glucose tolerance test, if a phlebotomist sees a patient eating, what should they do?

1. Ask the patient to stop eating

2. Contact the physician to determine if the test should be continued

3. Write a note and continue the test

4. Ignore the situation

The correct answer is: Contact the physician to determine if the test should be continued

In the context of a glucose tolerance test, it is essential to ensure that the test reflects the patient’s true metabolic response to glucose. The test typically requires the patient to fast or refrain from consuming any food or beverages prior to and during the test period, as eating can significantly affect the results. If a phlebotomist observes the patient eating, the appropriate action is to contact the physician to determine if the test should be continued. This is important because the integrity of the test is compromised if the patient consumes food, and guidance from the physician is necessary to assess whether the test results will be valid. The physician may decide to reschedule the test or provide specific instructions on how to proceed based on clinical protocol. Other actions, such as asking the patient to stop eating or writing a note and continuing the test, do not address the need for proper medical guidance in this situation. Ignoring the situation could lead to inaccurate test results and potential mismanagement of the patient’s care. Therefore, contacting the physician is the most responsible and clinically appropriate response.