Venipuncture Procedure

Question 1

Venipuncture

Answer 1

The process of collecting blood from a vein

Question 2

Patient Registration

Answer 2

The initial step to the venipuncture process. Patient ID (full name), DOB, sex, address & proof of ID is necessary to ensure you are drawing the correct patient. A patients-specific identifier is assigned and printed on test requests and specimen labels

Question 3

Test Requisition

Answer 3

the form into which test orders are entered. Needs
- the order’s name
- patient’s full name
- patient-specific identifier
- pt sex
-pt DOB
- room number of pt
-tests to be performed
-collection site
-date and time of test
-test status
-billing information

Question 4

VP (Venipuncture) Step 1

Answer 4

receive, thoroughly review, and accession ( tie the test taken to the correct paperwork and pt) the test request

Question 5

VP Step 2

Answer 5

Greet the patient, announce your presence, ensure pt room is ready for the blood drawing procedure ( no unnecessary people or engaged procedures), and ID patient

Question 6

Bedside Manner

Answer 6

the behavior of an HCW toward a patient

Question 7

VP Step 3

Answer 7

explain what you are there to do. ensure you ease pt of any worries(ex: needle phobia) and get consent for the procedure

Question 8

VP Step 4

Answer 8

Verify collection requirements. Get background regarding the procedure, like dietary restrictions or previous problems, and ensure nothing is in patient’s mouth

Question 9

VP Step 5

Answer 9

Wash hands ( if visibly soiled) or Sanitize and put on gloves

Question 10

VP Step 6

Answer 10

Ensure the patient is positioned in a way that exposes their antecubital veins, apply a tourniquet and ask patient to make a fist

Question 11

VP Step 7

Answer 11

Locate a vein to draw blood from (*median, cephalic, basilic) mark with either an alcohol pad or something near the vein, release tourniquet (ensure its on for no more than 1 min) and let pt know to release fist

Question 12

VP Step 8

Answer 12

Clean site with an alcohol wipe, wiping in circular outward motions and allow to air dry

Question 13

VP Step 9

Answer 13

Prepare Collection equipment, ensure tubes and needles are in order and ready to go

Question 14

VP Step 10-11

Answer 14

Reapply the tourniquet, remove the needle sheath and inspect needle. Once the needle has been determined to be of good quality, anchor the vein, ask pt to make another fist and insert needle bevel side up at an angle of 30 or less. Ensure you warn pt that you are inserting the needle

Question 15

VP Step 12

Answer 15

Establish blood flow by placing a tube in the hub of the needle and inspecting it. Release tourniquet and pt fist when filling last tube. Make sure you follow the CLSI Order of Draw

Question 16

VP Step 13

Answer 16

Maintain needle position by holding carefully and fill tubes until samples ordered are collected. ensure to invert tube the necessary amount of times and draw in the correct order

Question 17

VP Step 14-15

Answer 17

Withdrawal needle, ensuring gauze is ready to apply pressure on the wound and activate the safety precautions on the needle. Discard the blood collection unit in a sharps container

Question 18

VP Step 16

Answer 18

Label the tube with Pt first and last name, Pt ID number or DOB, date & time of collection and your initials. Ensure the window is still visible if you need to put a label on the tube

Question 19

VP 17-18

Answer 19

Place a bandage or wrap on patient’s arm after establishing that there is no prolonged bleeding and dispose of all used materials in their proper place

Question 20

VP Step 19-20

Answer 20

Thank pt, remove gloves & sanitize hands and take samples to the appropriate lab

Question 21

Pediatric Venipuncture

Answer 21

for children under 2. Ensure the child is restrained, use a 23 gauge butterfly needle and collect the minimum amount if blood required for testing

Question 22

Geriatric Venipuncture

Answer 22

because these pts are older their skin, hearing and other effects of again can cause challenges during venipuncture. Ensure to get a correct ID via another person, use butterfly needles or short draw tubes, don’t apply the tourniquet too tight, avoid previously bruised areas, don’t clean the site too hard, anchor vein to avoid rolling and hold pressure longer to ensure bleeding has stopped.