The ability to safely and efficiently perform venepuncture in the context of taking a blood specimen for a group and hold Flashcards
Patient ID checks
- Full name
- Date of birth
- UR number
Ensure you have the correct patient
Identifies indications for procedure
- Laboratory test results aid in the diagnosis of health care problems, provide information about the stage and activity of a disease process, and measure a patient’s response to therapy.
- To obtain a blood sample for routine analysis or blood culture. Venepuncture typically allows a larger volume of blood to be collected and is the method of choice for obtaining blood cultures.
- Administer medications.
- Venous blood gas.
- Nurses are accountable for correctly collecting specimens, monitoring patient outcomes, and ensuring that these laboratory tests are performed
Outlines safety considerations of procedure
Check emergency bell
Check
Introduces self to patient, gives clear explanation of procedure and gains patient’s consent whilst maintaining patient privacy
Hello my name is Thi and I am a second year nursing student and today I will be collecting a blood sample from you.
Do I have your consent to take the sample? Thank you.
Close curtains around bed or close room door to allow patient to relax and increase cooperation
Gathers appropriate equipment
- Order
- Alcohol swab
- Clean gloves
- Bluey
- Blood tubes
- Vacutainer
- Needle that attaches to vacutainer (green)
- Sterile 2 3 2–inch gauze pads
- Tourniquet
- Cotton ball
- Tape
- 2 kidney dishes
- Sharps container
- Alcohol wipes
- Rubbish bag
- Small plastic biohazard bag for delivery of specimen to laboratory (or container specified by agency)
- Completed identification labels with proper patient identifiers (appropriate patient identification, date, time, name of test, and source of culture specimen)
Performs adequate hand hygiene throughout the procedure (five moments of hand hygiene)
- Before touching a patient
- Before a procedure
- After a procedure or body fluid exposure risk
- After touching a patient
- After touching a patient’s surroundings
Assess arm and selects appropriate site - can discuss contraindications for site choice
place bluey under arm
attach tourniquet
assess cubital fossa which is best for taking blood due to large veins that are close to the surface
contraindications:
- wounds
- cellulitis
- haematoma
- mastectomy - use other arm
- fistula
Correctly places the tourniquet
Position tourniquet 5 to 10 cm above venipuncture site selected (antecubital fossa site is most often used).
Locates vein and cleanses area
assess cubital fossa which is best for taking blood due to large veins that are close to the surface
Cleans skin surface for 30 seconds. Let dry.
So bacteria doesn’t enter puncture site.
Informs patient that procedure is about to start, what to expect in terms of pain/discomfort
Inform the patient that I’m going to clean with an alcohol wipe which might feel a bit cold.
Inform the patient I’m going to insert the needle and they will feel a little sting, just for a few seconds.
Dons gloves
Apply clean gloves.
Correctly assesses the vein
Palpate selected vein with finger.
Note if vein is firm and rebounds when palpated or if it feels rigid or cordlike and rolls when palpated.
Avoid vigorously slapping vein, which can cause vasospasm.
Patent, healthy vein is elastic and rebounds on palpation.
Draws blood
Attach needle to Vacutainer tube.
Place thumb of non-dominant hand 2.5 cm below site and gently pull skin taut. Stretch skin down until vein stabilises.
Hold Vacutainer needle at 15 degree angle from arm with bevel up.
Releases the tourniquet
Tape cotton
Release after blood has been drawn before removing needle
Gauze/cotton ball over site and remove needle, tape over cotton.
Correctly withdraws and disposes of equipment appropriately
Dispose of needle, gauze, and other supplies in sharps container.
remove tourniquet
whilst putting pressure on patient’s arm
