Routine Venipuncture #1
How should blood be transferred from a syringe to a vacuum tube?
Activate the safety device on the needle, remove, and attach a needless transfer device to the syringe.
If the number on the requisition does not match the arm band, what should you do?
Contact the patient’s nurse to attach a proper ID wristband to the patient.
What is the term for the small red spots on the skin that are caused by a tightly tied tourniquet?
Petechiae
Which vein lies on top of the brachial artery?
Basilic
How should bleeding be stopped at a venipuncture site?
Remove the needle and apply pressure to gauze over the site
Before drawing blood in an inpatient setting, information found on the requisition form should be matched against which of the following?
The patient’s wristband
If a blood test requires a fasting specimen, what is the best way to verify that the patient is fasting?
Ask the patient when the last time was that he had anything to eat or drink.
What is the term for destruction of red blood cells due to a tightly tied tourniquet?
Hemolysis
How should a needle be inserted for venipuncture?
Bevel up, in a smooth quick motion.
When should blood collection tubes be labeled?
At the patient’s bedside, immediately after taking the blood
What is the single most important step of the blood collection procedure?
Patient identification
When you tell a patient that you need to draw blood, he says that he does not want to have his blood drawn. What is the appropriate action?
Explain the procedure and ask the patient if he will consent.
Hemoconcentration can occur in which of the following situations?
The tourniquet was left on for 2 minutes
If the needle is withdrawn before the tourniquet is removed, what is likely to occur?
Hematoma
Which of the following is the next step after removing your gloves?
Wash your hands.
At what angle should the venipuncture needle be inserted?
15–30 degrees
How far from the puncture site should the tourniquet be placed?
3–4 inches above the puncture site
While having a blood sample collected, the patient complains of pain and tingling in the fingers. What is the likely cause?
The tourniquet is too tight or has been on too long
When should the tourniquet be removed?
While the first tube is filling
Which of the following steps should be taken with a syringe before using it to collect blood?
Pull the plunger back to break the seal, then expel all the air.
In which of the following choices are the steps in the correct order?
Identify patient, select equipment, collect specimen, stop bleeding, label tubes.
What is the term for an increase in the ratio of formed elements to plasma?
Hemoconcentration
Which of the following veins is the most common second choice when the median cubital vein is not appropriate for withdrawing a blood sample?
Cephalic vein
What is the term for a collection of blood under the skin at the site of a venipuncture?
Hematoma
When using a syringe, how do you tell when you have entered a vein?
A flash of blood will appear in the syringe hub.