Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

What information is typically required for patient identification in medical records?

1. Name, address, and phone number

2. Name, date of birth, physician

3. Name, procedure, and allergies

4. Name, insurance, and referral source

The correct answer is: Name, date of birth, physician

The correct choice focuses on essential information that accurately identifies a patient within medical records. Name and date of birth are critical identifiers, as they are universally used to distinguish one patient from another and prevent errors in patient care. The inclusion of the physician adds an important context since it connects the patient to their healthcare provider, which is crucial for managing continuity of care and accountability within the medical system. Other choices include details that, while relevant in their own contexts, do not serve as primary identifiers. For instance, an address and phone number can help with contact but are not as definitive as a date of birth in distinguishing patients. Including a procedure and allergies can be important for clinical data but does not aid in the identification process itself. Lastly, insurance and referral source are administrative details that are necessary for billing or record-keeping but not for recognizing or verifying a patient's identity in a medical environment.