A Phlebotomist Is Collecting a Sample for Potassium by Fingerstick

Multiple Choice

A phlebotomist is collecting a sample for potassium by fingerstick on an adult patient. The patient's hands are callused and the phlebotomist experiences difficulty in obtaining enough sample. One possible effect of this difficulty is:

A) the finger involved must not be used for future collections.
B) excessive squeezing and tissue fluid in the sample may affect the potassium result.
C) a postexamination variable is caused.
D) no significant effect on the sample is likely.