Venipuncture

Question 1

What is the standard syringe size?

Answer 1

2-50 ml

Question 2

What does needle length indicate?

Answer 2

Measure in length of the shaft portion

Question 3

What are standard needle lengths?

Answer 3

1/4 - 5 inches

Question 4

What does needle guage indicate?

Answer 4

The thickness or diameter of a needle

Question 5

What is a general rule for needle guages?

Answer 5

The smaller the guage, the larger the diameter

Question 6

What is drip infusion?

Answer 6

When large volumes of fluid are delivered over a long period of time

Question 7

How is the drip infusion solution placed?

Answer 7

Hanging from an IV pole at a height 18-24 inches above the patient

Question 8

What is the drip rate of an infusion?

Answer 8

10-20 drops per minute unless otherwise directed by a physician

Question 9

What is venipuncture?

Answer 9

The act of puncturing or entering into a vein with a needle to withdraw blood for analysis or to introduce medications or contrast agents

Question 10

What intravenous method?

Answer 10

The needle is inserted and the drug is injected into a vein

Question 11

At what angle should the needle be inserted for the intravenous method?

Answer 11

At a 15 degree angle

Question 12

What is a subcutaneous method?

Answer 12

The need is inserted and the drug is injected directly beneath the skin

Question 13

At what angle should the needle be inserted for the subcutaneous method?

Answer 13

At a 45 degree angle

Question 14

What is a intramuscular method?

Answer 14

The needle is inserted and the drug is injected into a muscle

Question 15

At what angle should the needle be inserted for the intramuscular method?

Answer 15

At a 90 degree angle

Question 16

What are all 3 injection methods classified as?

Answer 16

Parenteral

Question 17

What does Parenteral mean?

Answer 17

A drug that is introduced into the body in a method that bypasses the GI system

Question 18

What is a needle bevel?

Answer 18

The slanted part of the needle tip that’s inserted into the skin

Question 19

What direction should the bevel be having during the injection?

Answer 19

Facing up

Question 20

What are the two bevel sizes?

Answer 20

Short and long

Question 21

What size bevel are used for IV injections?

Answer 21

Short bevel

Question 22

What size bevel are used for suncutaneous and intramuscular injections?

Answer 22

Long bevel

Question 23

What is Infiltration or Extravasation?

Answer 23

The escape of fluid from a vessel into a surrounding tissue

Question 24

What is the treatment for infiltration?

Answer 24

Remove the needle
Apply direct pressure to the injection site
Apply warm, moist compress to relieve pain and discomfort
Alert the nursing staff

Question 25

What is a bolus?

Answer 25

The total amou of a drug being adminstered

Question 26

What are the steps involved in venipuncture?

Answer 26

Wash hands thoroughly.
Check patient’s identification.
Explain the procedure to the patient.
Assemble all needed supplies and prepare the drug for administration using sterile technique.
Put on disposable gloves
Clean the selected site with an alcohol swab. Moving in a circular motion from the center to the outside.
Apply a tourniquet above the site.
Use sufficient tension to impede the flow of blood in the vein.
Ask the patient to open and close the fist to distend the vein fully.
Once the vein is identified ask the patient to clench the fist and keep it closed.
To stabilize the vein, place your thumb on the tissue just below the site and gently pull the skin and vein towards the hand.
Hold the needle with bevel facing upward. When using a butterfly needle, pinch the wings tightly together.
Insert the needle next to the vein at a 15-degree angle and gently advance it into the vein.
To check placement gently pull back on the syringe – if the needle is correctly inserted into the vein the blood will flow back into the tubing.
Do not re-insert the needle if it has exited the vein and skin.
If the tubing of the butterfly needle has not previously been filled with solution, allow the blood to flow from the hub before attaching the syringe to ensure that no air bubbles are contained in the system.
Remove the tourniquet and inject the drug or contrast media.
After the injection is complete unless otherwise instructed, remove the needle and apply gentle pressure to the site with an alcohol swab. Put a bandage on the injection site.
Dispose of the syringe and needle properly in a sharps container.
Chart all relevant information.

Question 27

What are the common venipuncture sites?

Answer 27

Basilic vein, median ante brachial vein, median cubital vein and cephalic vein

Question 28

What types of needs are most commonly used for venipuncture?

Answer 28

Winged tip or butterfly