Venepuncture Flashcards
What do you do first?
Wash your hands
3 I’s
Introduce yourself, identify patient, informed consent
5 contraindications of venepuncture
AV fistula Lymphodema Previous mastectomy Broken, bruised or infected skin (cellulitis) IV infusion in that limb
As well as contraindications, what should you check?
Allergies
4 risks of venepuncture
Bleeding
Bruising
Pain
Infection
What equipment would you gather?
Gloves and apron
Sharps bin and kidney dish/other receptacle
Tourniquet, wipes, gauze and tape x2
Blood specimen bottles/ tubes, butterfly and vacutainer
5 steps of identifying the vein
1) Wash hands again
2) Position arm comfortably (on a pillow?)
3) Inspect for vein
4) Apply tourniquet
5) Palpate vein
3 steps of preparing the vein
1) Wash hands yet again and don gloves
2) Clean area for 30 seconds
3) Allow area to dry for 30 seconds
The vein is ready, what do you do before the needle goes in?
4 steps
1) Attach vacutainer to needle
2) Unsheath needle
3) Anchor vein DISTALLY to area of injection
4) “sharp scratch”
steps of inserting the needle
1) Insert needle (bevel up) at an angle of 30 degrees or less
2) Push until flashback is seen
3) Push in another 1-2mm
4) Tape down the butterfly
Blood cultures, which one do you fill first?
aerobic before anaerobic
U and E’s and FBC, which one do you fill first?
U and E’s before FBC
Got enough blood, what next?
6 steps
1) Release the tourniquet!!!
2) Remove tape from butterfly
3) Prepare gauze over site of puncture
4) Remove needle (disposing in sharps bin)
5) Ask patient to hold the gauze
6) Tape down gauze
To complete the procedure you would?
6 steps
1) Thank the patient and check they are ok
2) Wash hands
3) Label bottles
4) Put in correct bags for correct labs
5) Dispose of everything safely
6) Record correctly in the notes
In the notes you would say..?
6 things
Patient details Date and time done Details of which blood tests had been sent off Any complications that occured Your name Your role
