COPE Health Scholars Practice Test

What is one method by which a scholar can verify a patient's identity?

1. Asking for the patient's medical history

2. Checking the whiteboard in the nurse's station

3. Asking for the patient's pet's name

4. Reviewing the hospital's admission paperwork

The correct answer is: Checking the whiteboard in the nurse's station

The method of checking the whiteboard in the nurse's station serves as a practical way to verify a patient's identity. In many clinical settings, the whiteboard is routinely updated with essential patient information, including their name, attending physician, and room number. This real-time, accessible information allows healthcare providers and scholars to confirm they are addressing the correct individual, which is critical for ensuring patient safety and delivering appropriate care. The other methods, while they may provide some context or information about the patient, do not reliably confirm identity. For instance, asking about a patient's medical history or their pet's name may not be effective, as this information can vary and may not be unique to that patient. Meanwhile, reviewing admission paperwork, although potentially helpful, may not be readily available during direct patient interaction and can also lead to discrepancies if the paperwork is not current or accurately filled out. Therefore, utilizing the information on the whiteboard is a proactive and straightforward method to accurately identify a patient.