87. A phlebotomist is preparing to draw blood from an infant To calculate the blood volume that can be drawn which of the following types of patient information must the phlebotomist have
Answer: D
The phlebotomist must know the infant's weight to calculate the blood volume that can be drawn.
Knowing the weight of the infant is essential for determining the appropriate volume of blood that can be safely drawn, as blood volume is typically calculated based on the patient's body weight.
A) Blood type
Blood type is not necessary for calculating the volume of blood to be drawn. While it is crucial for transfusions and compatibility issues, it does not provide information regarding the safe volume that can be extracted from an infant.
B) Height
Height is not a direct factor in determining blood volume in infants. Blood volume calculations primarily rely on weight rather than height, making this option irrelevant for the specific question of how much blood can be drawn.
C) Birth date
The birth date does not give the phlebotomist information about the infant's current weight or blood volume. While it may indicate the age of the infant, it does not help in calculating the volume of blood that can be safely drawn.
D) Weight
Weight is the critical piece of information needed to calculate the blood volume that can be drawn from an infant. Blood volume is often estimated based on body weight, making this option the only correct choice.
Conclusion
The correct answer is D) Weight, as it directly correlates with the safe volume of blood that can be drawn from an infant. Other options, including blood type, height, and birth date, do not provide the necessary information for this calculation, highlighting the importance of weight in clinical settings for pediatric blood draws.