PHLEBOTOMY BASICS
This healthcare professional is responsible for collecting blood specimens.
What is a phlebotomist?
How many forms of identification should be used before collecting a specimen?
What are two forms of identification?
The primary purpose of a tourniquet is to make the patient's veins easier to do this.
What is palpate?
This is the most common area for venipuncture.
What is the antecubital space?
This part of the needle should face upward when making the puncture.
What is the bevel?
This procedure involves collecting blood from a vein.
What is venipuncture?
Name two patient identifiers used before venipuncture.
What are the patient's name and date of birth?
A tourniquet is generally placed this many inches above the bend of the elbow.
What are 3–4 inches?
This vein is generally the first choice for venipuncture.
What is the median cubital vein?
The vacuum tube system consists of a collection needle, plastic needle holder, and this.
What is an evacuated tube?
Name the three general types of blood collection discussed in the chapter.
What are arterial puncture, venipuncture, and skin puncture?
Instead of simply asking, "Are you John Smith?", what should the patient be asked to do?
What is state their full name and date of birth?
The tourniquet should never remain in place longer than this amount of time.
What is 1 minute?
This vein is generally the second choice for venipuncture.
What is the cephalic vein?
The small opening of the plastic holder is used to secure this.
What is the needle?
This method uses a collection needle, plastic needle holder, and evacuated tube.
What is the vacuum tube method of venipuncture?
Give two possible consequences of improperly identifying a patient.
What are incorrect specimen labeling, inaccurate diagnosis, and/or wrong treatment?
Leaving the tourniquet on too long can cause this increase in the concentration of blood components.
What is hemoconcentration?
This vein is generally the last choice because of its proximity to nerves and the brachial artery.
What is the basilic vein?
The large opening of the plastic holder holds this.
What is the evacuated tube?
This method is the least-used venipuncture method but can be useful for small veins that may collapse with the vacuum tube method.
What is the syringe method?
Why should the MA explain the venipuncture procedure in an unhurried and confident manner?
What is to reduce patient fears, relax the veins, make the procedure easier, and reduce pain?
Why must the tourniquet be removed before the needle is removed?
What is to prevent blood from being forced out of the puncture site and causing a hematoma?
Name the two fingers recommended for palpating a vein.
What are the index and middle fingers?
When making the venipuncture, the needle is inserted at approximately this angle to the patient's skin.
What is 15 degrees?