Clinical Considerations in Blood Collection

These flashcards cover key clinical considerations related to blood collection, effects of various factors on blood analytes, and complications during the venipuncture procedure.

RBC and WBC values

Higher in newborns.

Creatinine clearance

Decreases with age.

Altitude effect on blood

High altitude leads to elevated RBC, Hgb, and Hct.

C-reactive protein

Increases in high altitude.

Hemoconcentration

Resulting from dehydration, leads to high levels of RBCs, enzymes, and coagulation factors.

Fasting effects

Eliminates dietary influences on tests but fasting beyond 12 hours can cause imbalances.

Caffeine consumption

Can cause increased cortisol and ACTH.

Diurnal variations

Circadian fluctuations in hormone and substance levels in the body.

Chemotherapy drugs

Associated with low WBC and platelet counts.

Exercise impact on blood

Causes increases in glucose, creatinine, insulin, and lactic acid.

Higher RBC levels

Found in males compared to females.

Jaundice

Condition where increased bilirubin causes yellow skin.

Supine to upright position effect

Causes low plasma volume.

Stress response

Temporary elevation in WBCs.

Burned/scarred areas

Lead to difficult vein access and erroneous test results.

Damaged veins causes

Includes sclerosis, thrombosis, and frequent venipunctures.

Edema

Swelling due to abnormal fluid accumulation.

Hematoma

Mass of clotted blood due to leakage from a vessel.

Obesity effect

Makes veins difficult to locate.

IV line collection

Blood specimens should not be drawn from an arm with an IV attached.

Hemoconcentration causes

Prolonged application and venous stasis.

Hemolysis definition

Damage to RBCs leading to the release of hemoglobin.

Consequences of underfilled tubes

Excess additives can affect blood counts and smears.

Expired tube issues

May result in lost vacuum and ineffective additives.

Iatrogenic anemia

Anemia resulting from medical treatment, often from blood loss.

Inadvertent arterial puncture

Deep or blind probing near basilic vein can cause rapid hematoma.

Nerve injury signs

Extreme pain, electric shock sensation, or numbness.

Reflux of additive

Occurs when blood flows back into the vein; can compromise sample quality.

Needle not inserted enough solution

Gently advance the needle until blood flow is established.

Bevel partially out of skin solution

Carefully advance the needle to ensure bevel is fully under the skin.

Bevel in a valve solution

Withdraw the needle slightly and reposition.

Collapsed vein causes

May occur even with correct needle positioning due to excessive vacuum or tight tourniquet.

Tube vacuum issues

May arise from mishandling or pushing the tube too far onto the needle.

Intramuscular injection effect

Increases CK and LDH levels.

Postural pseudoanemia

Condition leading to low Hct levels when changing positions.

Chronic smoking effects

Increases RBC and Hgb levels while decreasing IgA, IgG, IgM, and increasing IgE.

Obstructed blood flow signs

Painful areas and contamination from hematoma.

Pain management during hematoma

Immediate pressure application and elevation if large.

Proper tourniquet application

Essential in cases of obesity to enhance vein visibility.

Patient assessment after venipuncture

Monitor for complications like nerve injury or hematoma.

Diurnal variations in pregnancy

Can affect various analyte levels due to increased body fluids.

Factors affecting blood collection in infants

Poor technique or anatomical challenges can lead to complications.

Assessment of edema

Look for abnormal fluid accumulation or IV fluid infiltration.

Patient conditions affecting venipuncture

Conditions such as paralysis may complicate the process.