Phlebotomy Steps

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing the 26 essential steps of the phlebotomy procedure.

Prepare Paperwork

Gather all requisition forms and ensure every piece of required equipment is ready before leaving the lab.

Identify Yourself

Introduce your name and department to the patient to establish professional identification.

Identify Patient

Confirm the patient’s identity by matching their armband information with the requisition; all identifiers must correspond.

Verify Diet Restrictions

Check whether the patient followed any required dietary limitations, such as fasting for glucose or lipid panel tests.

Assemble Equipment and Supplies

Collect and organize needles, tubes, tourniquet, alcohol swabs, and other necessary materials.

Hand Hygiene and Gloves

Wash hands thoroughly and don clean gloves to maintain aseptic technique.

Reassure Patient

Explain the procedure and offer comfort to reduce patient anxiety.

Position Patient

Seat or recline the patient safely and comfortably for venipuncture.

Apply Tourniquet

Place the tourniquet above the intended puncture site to engorge the veins for easier access.

Select Venipuncture Site

Palpate veins with the index finger of the nondominant hand to choose the best site for insertion.

Cleanse the Site

Disinfect the selected area with an appropriate antiseptic to prevent infection.

Check Equipment and Tube Selection

Verify that you have the correct needle size and blood collection tubes required for the ordered tests.

Anchor the Vein

Hold the patient’s skin taut below the puncture site to stabilize the vein during needle insertion.

Insert Needle

Puncture the vein at the proper angle to initiate blood flow smoothly.

Fill Tubes

Allow blood to fill each tube to the correct volume, following the proper order of draw.

Release Tourniquet

Untie the tourniquet once blood flow is established or before removing the needle to restore circulation.

Withdraw Needle and Apply Pressure

Remove the needle swiftly and press gauze over the site to stop bleeding.

Dispose of Needle

Immediately discard the used needle into an approved Sharps container.

Label Tubes

Write the patient’s information on each tube at the bedside after collection.

Observe Special Handling Instructions

Keep specimens at required temperatures—warm, cold, or room temperature—according to test protocols.

Check Patient’s Arm and Bandage

Inspect the puncture site, apply a bandage, and ensure bleeding has ceased.

Dispose of Contaminated Materials

Safely discard used gauze, gloves, and other biohazardous waste.

Thank Patient

Express appreciation to the patient for their cooperation.

Remove Gloves and Wash Hands

Take off gloves without contamination and perform hand hygiene again.

Check Specimen Collection Log

Ensure all specimen details are accurately recorded in the collection log.

Transport to Lab

Promptly deliver properly labeled specimens to the laboratory for analysis.