Phlebotomy: Blood components and Common Veins

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

Special considerations when drawing blood

  • 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

Components of Blood

  • 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