NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

When are patients most likely to be in a basal state?

1. 6:00 a.m.

2. 10:00 a.m.

3. 2:00 p.m.

4. 6:00 p.m.

The correct answer is: 6:00 a.m.

Patients are most likely to be in a basal state in the early morning, specifically around 6:00 a.m. This time is significant because it is typically when the body has been in fasting mode for several hours, allowing for baseline measurements of substances such as glucose, cholesterol, and other analytes without the influence of recent food intake or physical activity. During this period, the body is also less likely to have been affected by the normal daily hormonal fluctuations that could alter test results. Therefore, the early morning is the ideal time for drawing blood to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the test results by reflecting the true physiological state of the patient.