Phlebotomy Potpourri
Technique
It's All About the Tubes.....
Supporting Roles
Location, Location,
Location
100
What is the cooking measure that is 5 ml of blood?
One teaspoon
100
Why must the alcohol be dried?
Prevent patient discomfort, contamination of the specimen and/or hemolysis of the specimen
100

Phlebotomy tubes are color coded to designate what?

additives inside the tube

100

When identifying a patient, what information besides name and DOB could be asked?

SSN or last 4 digits, Medical record number from attached hospital ID band.

100
In the antecubital area which vein would you choose first, second, and third?
Median, cephalic and last basilic
200
On an average, how much serum can you get from a 7 ml SST tube?
1.5 - 2.0 ml
200
Why do we say “stretch” the skin?
To anchor the vein and to thin out the skin for a quicker entry
200

Specimens in lavender stoppered tubes are collected for hematology studies. Name one test in this category.

Hematology - CBC, H&H, SR Blood Bank - Type and Rh, Crossmatch, Type and Screen Special Chem - Hgb A1c, BNP, Ammonia

200

While setting up for your blood collection, what supplies do you need to prepare?

Gloves, Gauze, Alcohol, Tourniquet, Tape

200
What information does your finger gather for you when searching for a vein?
Size, Depth & Direction
300
What tests are included in a Basic Metabolic Profile?
Glucose, BUN, Creatinine, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, CO2, Calcium
300
Why must the bevel of the needle be facing up?
It is the sharpest point going through the skin and vein walls and blood flow into the tube is better
300

Specimens in the citrate tubes are collected for coagulation studies. Name one lab test that would be done for coagulation.

Coagulation - PT, PTT

300

When you have no labels, name a few pieces of information that should be on all tubes.

Full name of the patient (matching the requisition), Date of birth, & phlebotomist's initials/number Inpatient - Full name of the patient (matching the requisition), Medical Record Number, phlebotomist's initials/number, Date of collection & Time of collection

300
When searching for a vein, what are 3 tips for difficult to find veins?
Re-tie the tourniquet tighter Warming the area Rotating the wrist Relax a hyper-extended arm Lower the arm Closing a fist Shadow from the wet alcohol Find a landmark and use your peripheral vision - fixing your eyes on the site. Avoid looking away.
400

Why should we remove the tube from the back of the holder before withdrawing the needle from the arm?

Prevent backflow (injecting the contents of the tube back into the patient who may go into anaphylactic shock)

400
What is the angle for insertion and why?
15 to 20 degrees and no more than 30 to prevent going through the vein and damaging a nerve or underlying structure
400

Specimens in heparin tubes are collected for which specialized department? 

Any answer will be accepted.

400

When do you label the blood specimens?

After blood is in the tube and before letting the patient go or leaving the bedside.

400
While selecting a venipuncture site on the antecubital area of the arm, list 3 reasons that you will not be able to perform the venipuncture there.
Side of a mastectomy Bruised Edematous Scarred from surgery or burns Casts or Dressings Side of an IV Overused veins
500
What are the effects of having a tourniquet on too long? These effects can also occur in what other situation?
Hemoconcentration and an elevated potassium. Having the patient pump (open and closing of the fist) during the venipuncture procedure.
500

What steps do you take before you withdraw the needle from the patient’s arm?

Check that the tourniquet is removed, take the tube off the back of the needle, have your gauze ready, withdraw the needle completely, apply pressure on the gauze while activating the safety device over the needle.

500

The ______________ of the draw is the most important aspect to prevent contamination of tubes.

order, sequence

500

What post patient care instructions do you give the patient?

Please hold pressure for another 5 minutes to minimize bruising. Keep the bandage on for 1-2 hours.

500

Why are veins on the foot our last choice for a venipuncture?

In patients with poor blood circulation, they are more prone for thrombosis to occur that could block flow of blood to extremities, heart, brain, kidneys causing more harm.

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