COPE Health Scholars Practice Test

Which item is NOT one of the five ways to identify a patient?

1. Nurse

2. Patient's chart

3. Friend's recommendation

4. Wristband

The correct answer is: Friend's recommendation

The correct answer is based on the established protocols for patient identification, which focus on official channels and materials that clearly link to the individual patient. Typically, patient identification methods include personal identifiers that are direct and verifiable, such as a nurse (who is a healthcare provider directly involved with the patient), a patient's chart (which contains their medical information and is directly linked to their identity), and a wristband (which is an immediate and visible method of confirming identity through assigned identification numbers and patient information). A friend's recommendation does not represent a reliable method for identifying a patient. It relies on subjective information that is not directly verifiable and may lead to confusion or errors in confirming a patient’s identity. Therefore, the focus on standardized and systematic identification processes is paramount in healthcare settings to ensure patient safety and accuracy in treatment.