Venous Blood Draws 2022 Flashcards
What is venipuncture?
Puncturing a vein with a straight needle or winged collection device (butterfly)
When should venipuncture ideally be collected?
Off a new IV site or the extremity opposite a running IV
What should be done if venipuncture is performed on the same side as an existing IV?
Perform collection below/distal to the infusion site
What are the general indications for performing venipuncture?
- Under the order of a physician
- Routine testing
- STAT testing including point-of-care testing
List some relative contraindications for venipuncture.
- Lymphedema
- Radiation therapy
- Breast surgery with axillary node dissection
- Altered blood flow due to stroke, injury, or deformity
- Dialysis graft or fistula restrictions
What antiseptic agent is commonly used for venipuncture?
Alcohol-based chlorhexidine
What size needles are typically used for venipuncture?
- 21 to 23 g for venipuncture needle
- 21, 23, 25 g for winged collection device
What is the correct angle to insert the needle during venipuncture?
15-30 degree angle to the skin
What does a Complete Blood Count (CBC) measure?
- Hemoglobin (Hgb)
- Hematocrit (Hct)
- White blood cells (WBC)
- Red blood cells (RBC)
- Mean cell volume (MCV)
- Mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
What are common electrolytes measured in blood tests?
- Sodium (Na)
- Potassium (K)
- Chloride (Cl)
- Calcium (Ca)
What does Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) reflect?
Concentration of nitrogen in urea, indicating hydration status and renal function
What is the significance of creatinine in blood tests?
Indicator of renal function and a by-product of muscle metabolism
What is B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) used for?
To diagnose and assess severity of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
What is Prothrombin Time (PT) used for?
To detect and diagnose bleeding disorders or excessive clotting disorders
What is the role of the International Normalized Ratio (INR)?
Calculated from PT, used to monitor blood-thinning medication therapy
