Equipment
This elastic band is placed above the venipuncture site to make veins more visible.
Tourniquet
This part of the needle is inserted directly into the vein.
Bevel
This tube color contains no additive and is commonly used for discard purposes.
Red-top tube
This is the recommended angle of needle insertion for routine venipuncture.
15–30 degrees
This action must be performed before and after every patient contact.
Hand hygiene (handwashing)
This device holds the needle and collection tube together during venipuncture.
Needle holder (tube holder)
This needle component controls blood flow and prevents leakage before tube insertion.
Rubber sleeve (Sheath Covering)
This tube color contains EDTA and is commonly used for hematology tests.
Lavender (purple) top
This vein is the preferred choice for routine blood draws.
Median cubital vein
This container is used for immediate disposal of used needles.
Sharps container
This piece of equipment is used to collect blood when veins are fragile or small.
Butterfly needle (winged infusion set)
This part of a multisample needle allows multiple tubes to be filled with one puncture.
Double-ended needle
This tube additive prevents blood from clotting by binding calcium.
EDTA
This step must be done immediately after withdrawing the needle to prevent bruising.
Apply pressure to the site
These precautions are used for all patients regardless of diagnosis.
Standard precautions
This collection method is preferred when multiple tubes must be drawn while minimizing vein collapse.
Vacuum tube collection system
Using a needle gauge that is too small increases the risk of this blood specimen error.
Hemolysis
This tube additive allows blood to clot and is commonly used for serum tests.
Clot activator
Prolonged tourniquet application can cause falsely elevated levels of this due to hemoconcentration.
Potassium (also calcium, protein, hematocrit acceptable)
This action must never be performed after using a needle.
Recapping a needle
This blood collection system uses negative pressure to draw blood into tubes automatically.
Vacuum tube collection system (Vacutainer system)
A needle larger than 18 gauge or smaller than 23 gauge increases the risk of specimen rejection due to this issue.
Hemolysis or vein trauma
Place these tubes in the correct order of draw: blood cultures, lavender, light blue, serum, gray.
Yellow → Light blue → Red → Gold/Tiger → Green → Lavender → Gray
This error can cause hemolysis due to excessive suction or improper technique.
Using too much pressure or pulling back too forcefully on the syringe (Petechia)
This federal agency regulates bloodborne pathogen standards in healthcare settings.
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)