You're so Vein
This vein is the OG, our first choice for veinipuncture.
What is Median Cubital?
A parent or guardian can hold their infant, to help you perform this venipuncture alternative for those under 12 months.
What is a heel stick?
This in the only filled tube that does not have an anticoagulant, as a matter of fact in enhances clotting.
What is SST? (RG/Gold/Tiger)
Attention!! All filled tube should be transported in this position.
What is upright (90o)
While the patient may appreciate you being quick on the draw, too quick and the tube wont fill, causing this 3 letter lab error.
What is QNS? (Quantity Not Sufficient)
This lateral vein is often more prominent on more heavy-set patients.
What is Cephalic?
Your geriatric patient is one tough cookie; unfortunately their veins are not so strong. Use this draw technique that is slow and steady like they are.
What is a Syringe draw?
The Sodium Citrate in this tube preserves the cascade for coagulation testing.
What is Light Blue?
Don't go into the light! Bilirubin, B12, and folate should be wrapped in this if tinted tubes are not available.
What is foil?
Tourniquets are so complicated. Hemoconcentration, Hemolysis, and petechiae are caused by this error.
What is prolonged application (>1min)?
This medial vein is difficult and tricky, with the Brachial plexus and artery close by.
What is Basilic?
Patient prep for this requires Registration, loooong questionnaire, full vitals and health check. Then we gotta find a vein for a 16G needle.
What is Blood Donation/Banking?
Though I often have (Sodium) fluoride inside, my outside is color of a cavity from too much sugar, (which I test for)
What is Grey?
Do not be fooled by the chilly names. Cold Agglutinins, Cryofibrinogen and Cryoglobulins need to make it to the lab with one of these.
What is heel warmer/hot pack?
TTN or Bust! Well the vein may bust if you don't remove the tourniquet first, causing this.
What is a Hematoma?
Butterflies only! These more sensitive veins cannot handle more than 23G.
What are hand veins?
Your patient with polycythemia had come to the lab for this special blood draw to prevent clotting and congestion in their veins.
What is Therapeutic Phlebotomy?
It's not easy being _________, I am heparinized for STAT results.
What is Green?
Lactic Acid may cramp your style (or at least your legs). But don't cramp the test results, transport it this way.
What is chilled (on ice)?
Your patent arrives for a fasting blood test with a half-drunk Frappuccino stating "well I didn't eat anything..." You reschedule and remind them to not eat or drink for how long.
What is 8 hours?
Superior skill is needed to draw from a Central (CVC) line that lies in one of these major veins. (No time for Inferiority complex)
What are the Vena Cava?
While most diabetics get their A1c monitored, pregnant folks still get checked for GD with this tang-flavored test.
What is OGTT?
Want to know your type or donate blood? Your RBCs will look pretty in this tube (and not just on Wednesdays)
What is Pink?
Elsa needs her clotting factors checked. They are most stable when brought to the lab this way.
What is Frozen?
The patient in room 420 refuses the blood draw. The doctor tells you to "just do it anyway". You refuse to, in order to avoid this legal issue.
What is assault/battery?