Week 2 Lab: Specimen Collection (Venipuncture) Flashcards
It is the collection of blood from veins.
Venipuncture
It is most often performed for the purpose of laboratory testing.
Venipuncture
Venipuncture is done with a needle, and typically performed by a?
phlebotomist
Purposes of venipuncture?
- laboratory testing
- remove extra red blood cells from the blood
- treat various blood disorders
What type of blood is preferred for most hematological examination?
Venous blood
Why is venous blood preferred for most hematological examination?
- It is easier and more convenient and adequate volume of blood suitable for a variety of test.
- Offers the fastest method of collecting sample from a large number of patients.
- Allow the test to be repeated.
- It also allows the performance of additional test that may be requested.
- It reduces the possibility of error resulting from the dilution with tissues juices or constriction of skin vessels.
Three General Methods of Venous Blood Collection?
- Syringe Method
- ETS (Evacuated Tube System) method
- Butterfly infusion Method
Materials for venipuncture?
- Sterile syringe
- Tourniquet
- Alcohol swab
- Tube holder
- Gauze pad
- Evacuated tubes
- Micropore tape
Procedure for venipuncture?
- Identify the patient by having the patient verbally state his/her full name and confirm with the patient’s identification number (ID band or any valid ID).
- Verify any diet restrictions.
- Prepare all materials so that they are within your reach at the time of blood extraction.
- Position the patient.
- Apply the tourniquet 3 to 4 inches above the selected puncture site for no longer than 1 minute.
- Ask the patient to make a fist. This makes the vein more easily palpable.
- Select a suitable vein for puncture.
- Cleanse the area with 70% alcohol using concentric circles, working from the inside to outside.
- Allow the area to dry.
- Inspect the needle. Check if the needle is not clogged by moving the plunger of the syringe up and down forcing air through the needle.
- Grasp the patient’s arm 1 to 2 inches below the puncture site. This anchors the vein and prevents it from rolling.
- Align the needle in the same direction as the vein. The needle should be in the bevel up position. (Needle opening facing upward)
- Using one deliberate, smooth motion, insert the needle in the same direction as the vein at approximately 15°-30° angle with the skin.
- Withdraw the desired volume of the blood for the examination to be performed when the needle enters the vein. Pull the plunger gently during aspiration.
- Remove the tourniquet and ask the patient to open his fist.
- Apply dry cotton lightly over the punctured site and withdraw the needle.
- Remove the needle from the syringe and fill the tubes
- Label the tubes properly. (Patient’s full name, age, gender, date and time of collection and collector’s initials.)
- Dispose the puncture equipment and other biohazardous wastes.
How far should the tourniquet be from the puncture site?
3-4 inches or 7.5-10 cm
How long should you leave the tourniquet on the arm?
no more than 1 minute
Area of the arm preferred for venipuncture?
Antecubital fossa
Vein of choice for venipuncture?
Median cubital vein
2nd vein of choice for venipuncture?
Cephalic vein
3rd vein of choice for venipuncture?
Basilic vein
