6. Venipuncture and Capillary Puncture Procedures

What should the learner treat all specimens as?

Potentially infectious.

What supplies are required for venipuncture with winged infusion sets?

Tourniquet, wing infusion set, vacutainer tubes, alcohol, gauze pads, bandage, sharps container, hand sanitizer, supply of gloves.

What is the proper order for performing a venipuncture?

Blood culture, light blue, red(gold, tiger top), green(light and dark), lavender(pink), gray.

When is a winged infusion set typically used?

When dealing with patients who are difficult to draw, such as children or patients with fragile veins.

What is the advantage of using a winged infusion set?

It allows for visual observation of blood flash upon entering the vein.

What should be done before positioning the patient's arm for venipuncture?

Ask if the patient has any latex allergies and select gloves accordingly.

What is the minimum time to allow the antiseptic to dry before venipuncture?

30 seconds.

What should you do after a successful blood collection?

Apply pressure to the site and ensure bleeding has stopped before bandaging.

What should be done with the used needle after venipuncture?

Immediately dispose of it in the bio-hazardous sharps container.

What identification methods are used to verify the patient before venipuncture?

Ask the patient to spell their name and/or state their date of birth.

When is it recommended to release the tourniquet?

As soon as blood flow is established into the tubes.

What technique is used for preparing the venipuncture site?

Cleanse with a 70% isopropyl swab using back-and-forth friction.

How should the blood collection tubes be labeled?

With the patient's last name, first name, date of birth, collection date, time, and phlebotomist's initials.

What should you do if the first drop of blood appears during a capillary puncture?

Wipe it away before collecting the sample.

How do you ensure proper blood collection from a capillary puncture?

Milk the area surrounding the puncture gently without scooping or scraping.

What must be done with anticoagulated collections?

They must be mixed 8 to 10 times.

What is the necessary action if you need to touch the venipuncture site again after cleaning?

Re-clean the site with a fresh alcohol swab.

What is recommended if the tourniquet is removed prematurely?

Wait 2 minutes before reapplying it.

What should be done if a patient feels faint during venipuncture?

Stop the procedure and assess the patient’s condition.

What special attention should be given to newborn heel punctures?

Ensure identification is done via ID bracelet and consent is obtained from parents.

Why is it important to evaluate the tubing of the infusion set?

To ensure it is properly evacuated and primed before use.

What should you do first when entering a patient's room for a venipuncture?

Introduce yourself and inform the patient of your role.

What is the proper angle for needle insertion into the vein?

Approximately 30 degrees.

What is a key consideration when repositioning the patient's arm during venipuncture?

Reapply the tourniquet if it was previously removed.

What must be checked after blood collection is complete?

Ensure that bleeding has stopped completely before applying a bandage.

What is required for the effective disinfection of the puncture site?

Using a back-and-forth friction method with alcohol.

What is a common mistake to avoid during capillary puncture?

SCOOPING or SCRAPING the blood into the container.

What should you do if a patient has a latex allergy?

Select appropriate gloves and tourniquet that are latex-free.

What information should be validated on a requisition form?

Ensure it corresponds with the specimen and includes relevant patient information.

What indicates that you have successfully entered the vein during blood collection?

Seeing a flash of blood in the needle.

What is one key factor when performing phlebotomy on children?

The flexibility of the infusion set accommodates unexpected movement.

What is the procedure if the tubing needs priming?

Evacuate the tubing before collecting blood.

When should pressure be applied to the venipuncture site?

Only after the needle is removed.

What is a significant advantage of using microcollection vessels?

They allow for collecting small samples from capillary punctures.

How should tests be prioritized?

By following the established order of draw.

What does proper patient communication entail during venipuncture?

Establish trust and ensure the patient is at ease.

What does the term 'butterfly' refer to in phlebotomy?

It refers to a winged infusion set used for venipuncture.

Why is it vital to let the first drop of blood be wiped away in capillary sampling?

To ensure the sample is uncontaminated.

What are two essential steps after collecting blood specimens?

Label the specimens accurately and check for special requirements.

What is the significance of patient identification in laboratory settings?

To prevent errors in specimen collection and testing.

What should be done for specimens that require special handling?

Observe specific requirements such as keeping them on ice or protecting from light.

Why is there a need for infection control techniques in phlebotomy?

To ensure the safety and welfare of both patients and healthcare providers.

What role does compassion play in phlebotomy?

It helps put the patient at ease and promotes a positive experience.

What is the responsibility of the learner in documenting errors?

Identify and initiate corrective action for pre-examination errors.