Venipuncture Systems

Question 1

Venipuncture systems

Answer 1

• Evacuated tube system- most common
• syringe system-difficult collection
• winged infusion blood collection-aka butterfly:small veins-pediatric or elderly patients
• multi sample needle for ETS
• hypodermic needle-syringe system
• winged or butterfly needle

Question 2

Gauge

Answer 2

Lumen diameter of needle

• selected based on size and condition of patient vein
• higher gauge, smaller diameter of needle
• 15 to 17: donor unit collection, therapeutic therapy
• 20: large volume tubes, for adults with normal size veins
• 21: standard venipuncture needle for normal size veins
• 22: older children, adults with small / difficult veins
• 23: butterfly, for infants, children, adult hand vein
• 25: butterfly, premature / neonate scalp vein

Question 3

Evacuated tube system

Answer 3

Closed system draws blood directly from vein, allow for multi-sample collection from one puncture

• three components: evacuated tubes, tube holder, multi-sample venipuncture needle
• multiple tubes can be filled by removing one from the tube holder and placing another one once needle placed in vein

Question 4

Evacuated tubes

Answer 4

Draw predetermine amount of blood directly into tube

• air removed from tube to create a vacuum
• when tube placed in tube holder, blood from vein will fill vacuum in tubes

Question 5

Fill volume

Answer 5

Tube labels list recommended fill volume

-fill tube until vacuum exhausted ensures the correct amount of blood collected

Question 6

Expiration date

Answer 6

Printed on each tube

-expired tubes should not be used, it may not fill tube with blood to desired level

Question 7

Color of tube top

Answer 7

Indicates with additive is added in tube

Question 8

Additives

Answer 8

Preserve specimens or prepare them for testing

Question 9

Anticoagulant additive

Answer 9

Prevent blood from clotting

Question 10

Clot activator additives

Answer 10

Accelerate clotting process

Question 11

Antiglycolytics additives

Answer 11

Prevent glycolysis - breakdown of blood glucose

Question 12

Dextrose

Answer 12

Nourishes and preserve cells

Question 13

Gel separator

Answer 13

Physical barrier between cells and serum or plasma when centrifuged

Question 14

During multi-sample collection

Answer 14

Specific order of draw to prevent cross contamination of additives
-If drawn out of order, draw another tube and discard other

Question 15

Order of blood draw

Answer 15

1. blood cultures-yellow, sodium polyanethol sulfonate: anti-coagulant reduces damage to bacteria
2. Sodium citrate tube-coagulation test, light blue: sodium citrate-anticoagulant
3. Serum tubes-chemistry test, red: silica-clot activator, red/gray/gold: serum separator tube-separator gel, orange: rapid serum tube with thrombin-fast acting anticoagulant
4. Heparin tubes-stat chemistry test, dark green: heparin-anticoagulant, light green/green/gray: plasma separator tube: with heparin and gel separatora
5. EDTA tube-hematology test, lavender/pink: edta-anticoagulant, pearl/white-plasma preparation tube with edta and gel seperator
6. Sodium fluoride / potassium tube-gray: sodium fluoride -antiglycolytic agent or potassium oxalate-anticoagulant
7. Acid citrate dextrose: DNA testing / transplant compatibility, yellow: acid citrate dextrose (ACD)-anticoagulant and RBC preservative
8. Trace-element-free tube: toxicology / trace element test, royal blue: free of trace element contamination and may contain other additives