Trial

PATIENT COMPLICATIONS

1. Apprehensive patients

2. Fainting (Syncope)

3. Seizures

4. Petechiae

5. Allergies

6. Vomiting

7. Additional patient observations

8. Patient refusal

APPREHENSIVE PATIENTS

Enlisting the help of the

nurse who has been

caring for the patient may

help to calm the person’s

fears

FAINTING (SYNCOPE)- the spontaneous loss of consciousness caused

by insufficient blood flow to the brain- Keeping their minds off the procedure

through conversation can be helpful.- If a patient begins to faint during the

procedure, immediately remove the

tourniquet and needle, and apply pressure to

the venipuncture site.- In the inpatient setting, notify the nursing

station as soon as possible

SEIZURES- If this situation occurs, the tourniquet and

needle should be removed, pressure applied

to the site.- Restrain the patient only to the extent that

injury is prevented. Do not

attempt to place anything in the patient’s

mouth.- Document the time the seizure started and

stopped according to institutional policy.

PETECHIAE- Are small, nonraised red hemorrhagic

spots- Maybe associated with prolonged

bleeding following venipuncture- can be an indication of a coagulation

disorder, such as a low platelet count or

abnormal platelet function- Additional pressure should be applied to

the puncture site following needle

removal.

ALLERGIES- Necessary precautions

must be observed by using

alternate antiseptics, paper

tape or self-adhering wrap

(Coban), and nonlatex

products.

VOMITING

• If the patient vomits, stop the blood

collection and provide the patient with

an emesis basin or wastebasket and

tissues.

• instruct the patient to breathe deeply

and slowly and apply cold compresses

to the patient’s forehead.

• Notify the patient’s nurse or

designated firstaid personnel.

ADDITIONAL PATIENT OBSERVATIONS

•Such changes could include the

presence of vomitus, urine, or

feces; infiltrated or removed IV fluid

lines; extreme breathing difficulty;

and possibly a patient who has

expired.

PATIENT REFUSAL

NOTE: They (Patients) have the right to

do this!

BUT…

• The phlebotomist can stress to the patient

that the results are needed by the health-care

provider for treatment

• The phlebotomist may discuss the problem with the nurse, who may be able to

convince the patient to agree to have the test performed.

If the patient continues to refuse, this decision should be written on the

requisition form and the form should be left at the nursing station or the area

stated in the institution policy.

TECHNICAL COMPLICATIONS

1. Failure to obtain blood

2. Collection Attempts

3. Nerve Injury

4. Iatrogenic Anemia

5. Hemolyzed samples

COLLECTION ATTEMPTS

•When blood is not obtained from

the initial venipuncture, the

phlebotomist should select

another site, either in the other

arm or below the previous site,

and repeat the procedure

using a new needle.

•A phlebotomist must do

TWO (2) VENIPUNCTURE

ATTEMPTS only on a patient.

NERVE INJURY

Temporary or permanent nerve damage

may result in loss of movement to

the arm or hand and the possibility

of a lawsuit.

Most common nerve damage:

median antebrachial cutaneous nerve- treated with a cold ice pack initially and

then warm compresses to the area - Document the incident and direct the patient

to medical evaluation if indicated, according to

facility policy.

IATROGENIC ANEMIA

•a condition of blood loss caused