Phlebotomy: Blood components and Common Veins

Veins are found in the ante cubital fossa

Median cubital vein
* the most common used vein for venipunctures
* also known as ante cubital vein
Cephalic vein
* second most common used vein, still is not a good vein to draw blood from because it rolls, not stable
* Connected to thumbs
Basilic vein
* the “last resort” vein, not preferred because it is close to the brachial nerve and artery
* closest to the body
Dorsal arch vein
* the U shaped vein in the dorsal view of hand
5th interdigital vein
* the vein that drains blood between the 4th (ring) and 5th (pinky) digit of the hands

Mastectomies: provide venipunctures on opposite side of mastectomy site, if both breasts were removed, look for central line
Dialysis pts: have fistulas, never draw blood from fistulas

Leukocytes: white blood cells
  * Immune response
  * NBLEM; Neutralphil, basophil, lymphocytes, eosinophil, monocytes
  * Leukocytosis: high WBC, indicator of ongoing infection
  * Leukocytopenia: low WBC, indicator of immunocompromised pts, HIV, steroid use (immunosupressant), cancer, chemotherapy
Erythrocytes: red blood cells
  * Carry oxygen around body
  * hemoglobin makes the cells red
  * erythrocytosis: high RBC, polycythemia vera
  * erythrocytopenia: low RBC, anemia
Thrombocytes: platelets
  * responsible for coagulation or formation of blood clots
  * thrombocytosis: high platelet, stroke risk
  * thrombocytopenia: low platelet, prone to bleeding, hemorrhaging
Plasma: liquid that carries nutrients and electrolytes
  * hypervolemia: too much liquid
  * hypovolemia: too little liquid
  * Na, Cl, P, K, Mg, Mn, Ca