# A new graduate nurse is caring for a client named Joseph Park. His identification band lists his name, date of birth, medical record number, and attending provider. Before giving medications and collecting blood specimens, the new graduate identifies him in several ways during the shift. Which actions meet the requirement to use two patient identifiers? Select all that apply. > source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr) > url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=617286&lang=en > language: en > subject: Accident/Error/Injury Prevention > category: SIPC ## Question A new graduate nurse is caring for a client named Joseph Park. His identification band lists his name, date of birth, medical record number, and attending provider. Before giving medications and collecting blood specimens, the new graduate identifies him in several ways during the shift. Which actions meet the requirement to use two patient identifiers? Select all that apply. 1 Has him state his full name and birth date, then matches both to the MAR. 2 Asks him to state his name, then matches it to the name printed on his band. 3 While he is sedated, matches the band name and record number to the order. 4 Scans the barcode on a spare label sheet at the bedside instead of the band. 5 Compares the band name and birth date with the tube labels at the bedside. 6 Matches his name and the attending provider's name on the band to the MAR. ## Explanation Name plus birth date stated by the client, name plus record number read from the band of a sedated client, and name plus birth date on the band compared with specimen labels at the bedside each use two person-specific identifiers. Matching a stated name to the band name checks only one identifier twice, a spare label sheet is not attached to the client, and the attending provider's name is not person-specific, so those methods fail even though they look thorough. ## In-depth explanation Quick answer Options 1, 3, and 5 use two person-specific identifiers. Why this is correct The Joint Commission requires at least two person-specific identifiers, such as name, date of birth, or medical record number, before medications, blood products, specimen collection, and procedures. The identifiers can be stated by the client (option 1) or read from the band attached to the client when he cannot respond (option 3), and specimen containers are labeled with two identifiers checked against the band in the client's presence (option 5). Easy analogy or mental picture Identification is like a two-factor login: two things that belong to the person, checked every time you log in, not a guess about which desk the person usually sits at. Memory hook Two different person facts, from the person or the band on the person. Same fact twice, loose labels, and provider names do not count. NCLEX decision rule Count the identifiers: accept a method only if it uses two different person-specific identifiers taken from the client or the band attached to the client and matched to the order, MAR, or label. Why the other choices are wrong Name stated and matched to the band (option 2): tempting because two sources agree, but it is the same identifier checked twice, so only one identifier has been used. Spare label sheet barcode (option 4): tempting because barcode scanning is an accepted method, but the scan must be of the band attached to the client; a loose label sheet could belong to anyone and verifies no person. Name plus attending provider (option 6): tempting because both are printed on the band, but a provider's name is shared by many clients and is not a person-specific identifier. References 1The Joint Commission National Patient Safety GoalsNPSG.01.01.01: use at least two person-specific identifiers such as name, birth date, or record number; label containers in the patient's presence ## Clinical scenario Scenario A new graduate nurse identifies one client several ways before medication administration and blood specimen collection; some methods use two person-specific identifiers and some only appear to. ## Key concepts - **Patient identifier** — Person-specific information such as name, date of birth, or medical record number used to match a client to care. - **NPSG.01.01.01** — The Joint Commission goal requiring at least two identifiers when providing care, treatment, and services. - **Barcode identification** — Scanning the barcode on the band worn by the client, which encodes two identifiers, to match the client to a medication or specimen. ## Related questions - [A circulating nurse leads the final time-out for an operative procedure. Complete the safe…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=393372&lang=en) - [Review the client's changing fall risk during the shift and select the prevention plan tha…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=393501&lang=en) - [An older adult who is confused at night repeatedly tries to get out of bed without assista…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=393729&lang=en) - [A client begins having a generalized seizure while in bed. Place the nursing actions in th…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=393871&lang=en) - [An older adult is confused and attempts to get out of bed without help. Which intervention…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394163&lang=en) - [For each medication reaction, indicate whether it suggests an allergy and whether it requi…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=395666&lang=en) - [An older adult is hospitalized after a near fall. For each cue or intervention, select the…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=396165&lang=en) - [Place the nursing actions in order after finding an anticoagulated older adult on the floo…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=396383&lang=en) ## Read in another language - [en](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=617286&lang=en) - [ko](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=617286&lang=ko) - [ja](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=617286&lang=ja) - [zh-TW](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=617286&lang=zh-tw) - [vi](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=617286&lang=vi) --- More free questions: [NCLEX-RN Practice](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_bank.php?lang=en) _For study reference only. Always follow current clinical guidelines and your institution’s protocols._