What is the first thing you should verify before starting to pre-test a patient?

Verifying the first and last name and date of birth is essential as it establishes the patient's identity and ensures that the technician is working with the correct patient file. This step helps prevent mix-ups that could lead to errors in diagnosis, treatment plans, and record keeping. Patient confidentiality is also upheld by accurately matching the patient with their health records, which is critical in maintaining trust in the patient-care relationship.

While verifying insurance information, corrective lens history, and testing equipment functionality are all important aspects of the patient preparation process, they are secondary to confirming the patient's identity. Ensuring that you have the right patient is paramount before proceeding with any further evaluations or tests.