Important concepts
These are the 3 most important overarching considerations of any venipuncture procedure
what is safety, patient experience and specimen viability
This is the maximum amount of time that a tourniquet should be tied on a patient
what is 60 seconds, or 1 minute?
This is the term for blood as it flows through the body, as well as when drawn into a lavender tube
What is whole blood?
This is the purpose of the Order of Draw
What is to avoid additive cross-contamination?
When regarding speaking the phrase "this won't hurt", before drawing a patient's blood, is this a good idea or a bad idea?
What is a bad idea-- you will be a liar. It is going to hurt. But just a little, like a quick pinch, and you'll be as gentle as possible! =)
These are the 3 D's of vein identification, described, of course
What are depth- how deep is the vein? Diameter- how wide is the vein, and direction- which way is the vein traveling?
Removal of the last tube, and removal of the tourniquet. Of these two, this step comes last.
What is removal of the last tube
These are the cells and cell fragments that make up the formed elements in the blood
what are erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and thrombocytes (platelets)?
These tubes always come first in the Order of Draw, and come with a stricter set of sterile techniques to lessen the chances of contamination
what are blood culture tubes?
These are the first three things that should be done during first contact with the patient
what are self-introduction, verifying the patient correctly, and cleansing your hands and the draw area?
This antecubital vein is the third choice in order of preference due to its proximity to the brachial artery
what is the basilic vein
This is the benefit of tourniquet tying, physiologically speaking
what is vasodilation, or enlargening of the superficial veins for purpose of easier visualization and procedure
This is the liquid portion of the whole blood flowing through our body
what is plasma?
This tube is best known for its ability to handle STAT tests with ease
what are green tubes (heparin)?
After self-identifying and verifying your patient, this is a good question to ask to help you individualize this person's experience
What is "how do you generally do with blood draws", or "do you have an arm preference?"
This is the descriptor of needles based on the diameter of the lumen
what are gauges?
This is the purpose of bevel inspection prior to needle insertion
what is looking for needle damage, burrs, ensuring bevel facing up
This is the liquid portion of our blood after it is drawn into an anticoagulant tube
what is plasma?
Don't get too sweet on this vacutainer, which contains sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate additives
what is grey?
What is implied consent, or "consent"
This is the term for what happens to blood that's been exposed to vigorous inversions, or to alcohol from an undried site
what is hemolysis
This is the name of the plastic protrusions at the end of tube holders which help with leverage when placing on and removing tubes
what are flanges
After the coagulation cascade is activated when blood mixes in a tiger-top tube, this blood component is yielded for testing
what is serum?
This tube may not contain an additive at all
what is red?
In speaking of communication, doing this is the most important step in the procedure-- not doing this can result in at the least an uncomfortable situation, and at worst, a dangerous one
What is verifying your patient correctly