4-Venipuncture Flashcards
What is venipuncture?
Venipuncture is the process of obtaining intravenous access for intravenous therapy or for blood sampling of venous blood.
It is performed by medical laboratory scientists, medical practitioners, paramedics, phlebotomists, and other nursing staff.
List the objectives of venipuncture.
- List basic concepts and guidelines for venipuncture
- List the supplies needed to perform venipuncture
- Define common complications of venipuncture
- List documentation requirements for venipuncture
- Perform venipuncture to collect a laboratory specimen
- Describe and perform the venipuncture process
- Patient care following completion of venipuncture
These objectives help ensure that venipuncture is performed safely and effectively.
What are the preferred venous access sites for venipuncture?
- Median cubital vein
- Basilic vein
- Cephalic vein
Other veins may be used if necessary and will become more prominent if the patient closes their fist tightly.
What factors should be considered in site selection for venipuncture?
- Extensive scarring or healed burn areas should be avoided
- Avoid areas of hematoma
- Do not use the arm on the same side as a mastectomy
- Avoid veins if IV fluids are being administered
- Allow 10-15 minutes after a transfusion before obtaining a blood sample
These factors help to ensure successful venipuncture and patient safety.
What is the order of draw for multiple tube phlebotomy?
- Blood culture vials or bottles, sterile tubes
- Coagulation tube (light blue top)
- Serum tube (red or gold)
- Heparin tube (green top)
- EDTA (lavender top)
- Glycolytic inhibitor (gray top)
Following the correct order of draw prevents cross-contamination between tubes.
What is the maximum time a tourniquet should be left on during venipuncture?
1 minute.
If a tourniquet is used for preliminary vein selection, it should be released and reapplied after two minutes.
What should be done if a specimen is not obtained after two attempts?
Notify your supervisor or the patient’s physician.
This ensures that the patient receives appropriate care and avoids unnecessary attempts.
Fill in the blank: Proper patient identification procedures require verifying the patient’s _______ and date of birth.
name
What is the purpose of venipuncture?
- To obtain blood for a specimen
- To infuse fluids and blood
- To administer medication
- Diagnostic tests
These purposes highlight the importance of venipuncture in medical practice.
Define hematoma as a complication of venipuncture.
Hematoma occurs when the needle has gone through the vein or the bevel is only partially in the vein.
Insufficient pressure on the puncture site can also contribute to hematoma formation.
What documentation is required for venipuncture?
- Patient’s surname, first name, and middle initial
- Patient’s ID number
- Patient’s date of birth and sex
- Requesting physician’s complete name
- Source of specimen
- Date and time of collection
- Initials of phlebotomist
- Indicating the test(s) requested
This information is essential for accurate specimen processing and tracking.
What supplies are needed for routine venipuncture?
- Evacuated collection tubes
- Needles
- Holder/adapter
- Tourniquet
- Alcohol wipes
- Povidone-iodine wipes/swabs
- Gauze sponges
- Adhesive bandages/tape
- Needle disposal unit
- Gloves
- Syringes
Each item has a specific role in ensuring a safe and effective venipuncture procedure.
True or False: Blood should be poured from one tube to another during venipuncture.
False.
Different tubes can have different additives or coatings, which can affect test results.
What is the purpose of using a tourniquet during venipuncture?
To promote vein distension.
This makes the veins more visible and easier to access.
What is the recommended location for blood collection on a newborn baby or infant?
The heel.
Proper areas on the heel should be selected to avoid injury to underlying bone.
What is PPE in the context of venipuncture?
Personal Protective Equipment.
PPE is essential for protecting both the patient and the healthcare worker.
What is the additive in a blue top tube?
Sodium citrate
Used for coagulation tests.
What is the purpose of a dark-green top tube?
Used for Heparin
Heparin is an anticoagulant.
What does a lavender top tube collect?
CBC
CBC stands for Complete Blood Count.
What is collected in a gray top tube?
Glucose
Used for glucose testing.
Define PPE.
Personal Protective Equipment
Includes gloves, gowns, masks, and goggles.
What is a wing-tipped needle set also known as?
Butterfly needle
Commonly used on elderly female patients.
What is a hematoma?
Blood accumulation outside of the blood vessel
Caused by needle going through the vein or insufficient pressure.
What can cause phlebitis?
Repeated puncture of vein and/or improper technique
Inflammation of the vein.
