Venepuncture, Blood Cultures & Cannulation Flashcards

1
Q

What is meant by ‘venepuncture’?

A

the process of taking a venous blood sample to aid diagnosis and treatment

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2
Q

What is meant by ‘cannulation’?

A

the process of inserting a small plastic tube into a vein

this can be used to deliver fluids or medication

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3
Q

What is meant by ‘blood cultures’?

A

the process of taking a venous blood sample that will be sent to microbiology to look for the presence of infection causing organisms

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4
Q

What is meant by ‘asepsis’?

A

the absence of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms

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5
Q

What is ANTT?

A

aseptic no touch technique

the standardised technique for achieving asepsis during invasive procedures

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6
Q

What % of healthcare associated infections are avoidable?

What is their cost to the NHS each year?

A

30% are preventable

They cost the NHS £2.3 billion each year

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7
Q

Around how many patients are harmed by sepsis each year?

A

250,000

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8
Q

What is the first stage in risk assessing clinical procedures?

A

Determining the need for standard or surgical ANTT

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9
Q

When would standard ANTT be the technique of choice?

A

When procedures are uncomplicated, short (<20 minutes) or involve small and minimal numbers of key components

Surgical ANTT is needed in all other situations

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10
Q

What are the appropriate infection control precautions that help to ensure asepsis?

A
  1. handwashing
  2. wearing gloves
  3. cleaning the site
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11
Q

What is involved in identifying key components of equipment?

A

These are the parts that have contact with the patient

If they are contaminated, they present a higher risk of infection

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12
Q

What is the most effective way to protect key components of equipment?

A
  1. leave any protective caps on until they are required

2. once they are exposed, do not touch them

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13
Q

What are the 7 words that describe a good vein?

A
  1. soft
  2. straight
  3. bouncy
  4. refillable
  5. spongy
  6. supported
  7. visible
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14
Q

When taking blood samples, where are the most appropriate vessels found?

A

vessels in the antecubital fossa

they are large and palpable

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15
Q

When using a cannula, which areas are avoided?

A

Joints are avoided as they are likely to become occulded in these areas

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16
Q

Where do cannulas tend to be placed?

A

More peripherally

Usually in the upper limb

The lower limb is an option if the upper limb is contra-indicated

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17
Q

What piece of apparatus is used to help visualise vessels?

A

Tourniquets

18
Q

What are the 3 key properties of a tourniquet?

A
  1. latex free
  2. single patients use
  3. quick, one-handed release
19
Q

What happens if the tourniquet is left on for longer than 1 minute?

A

Pressure causes potassium to leak out of tissue into blood

This gives inaccurate results

20
Q

What types of veins should be avoided?

A

sclerosed, fibrosed, thrombosed, hard veins

tortuous, mobile, thin, fragile veins

21
Q

Veins in which areas should be avoided?

A

inflamed, painful, bruised areas

adjacent to areas of infection

22
Q

What types of compromised/injured limbs should be avoided?

A
  1. mastectomy
  2. casts
  3. decreased circulation
  4. paralysis
  5. AV fistula
23
Q

What are the 6 complications of venous puncture?

A
  1. bruising
  2. infection - phlebitis/septicaemia
  3. missing the vein
  4. thromboembolism
  5. hitting an artery, tendon or nerve
  6. haematoma
24
Q

What are the indications for venepuncture?

A

Whenever a blood test is required

25
Q

What are the indications for blood culture?

A
  1. when bloodstream infection is suspected

2. pyrexia of unknown origin

26
Q

What areas should not be used for blood culture?

A

do not use existing cannula or sites immediately above peripheral cannula

27
Q

What are the indications for cannulation?

A
  1. delivery of IV fluids
  2. delivery of IV medication
  3. blood transfusion
28
Q

What are the 3 stages involved in choosing and fitting the right size cannula?

A
  1. always choose smallest cannula for required function
  2. use non-ported safety device where possible
  3. attach needle free safe site connection
29
Q

When should a purple cannula be used?

A

In neonates

30
Q

When should a yellow cannula be used?

A

Paediatrics, oncology, elderly

31
Q

When should a blue cannula be used?

A

Paediatrics, oncology

32
Q

When should a pink cannula be used?

A

Crystalloids - general use

33
Q

When should a green cannula be used?

A

For blood products, medicines and fluids

34
Q

When should a grey or orange cannula be used?

A

For rapid transfusion of blood or fluids

35
Q

What should be done to the culture bottles before taking the blood sample?

A

Clean the lids of the culture bottles and allow them to dry

36
Q

Which culture bottle should be filled first and why?

A

Aerobic bottle - blue lid

There will air in the butterfly tubing which cannot be introduced into the anaerobic bottle

37
Q

What happens to the sharps waste after performing a procedure?

A

ALL sharp objects go into a sharps bin

38
Q

What happens to waste soiled with body fluids?

A

It goes into a clinical waste bin

This is an orange bag

39
Q

What happens to paper and packaging waste?

A

It goes in a domestic waste bag

This is a black bag

40
Q

When should samples be labelled?

A

At the bedside after the sample has been taken

41
Q

What should be included on the sample label?

A
  1. name
  2. hospital number
  3. date of birth
42
Q

What are the 4 stages in dealing with a needlestick injury?

A
  1. bleed it - squeeze to encourage bleeding
  2. wash it with soap and warm running water
  3. cover it with waterproof dressing
  4. report it immediately