Reflux
The definition of reflux.
When blood flows back into the patients arm from the collection tube.
Certain patient conditions and reactions can cause this.
Hemolysis.
The needle must be in the correct position in the vein to allow for this.
The free flow of blood.
This is important to know before inserting the needle.
How far the needle needs to go in the vein.
Where the bevel of the vein must be for proper blood flow.
Completely inside of the vein.
What some patients have had adverse reactions to.
The more common cause of hemolysis.
Procedural errors.
This is the angle and bevel position when inserting the needle.
At an angle between 15-30 degrees with the bevel up.
What may happen if the needle is not inserted far enough.
It may not puncture the vein at all.
If the needle is inserted too far it may penetrate here.
All the way through the vein.
The most likely time that reflux can occur.
If the tourniquet is released after the tube vacuum is exhausted.
A procedural error would not be gently inverting the tube to mix it but instead doing this.
Shaking it.
The first vein of choice for venipuncture.
The basilic vein.
Not inserting the needle far enough may result in an inability to obtain proper what?
Blood flow.
What you might see concerning "flash" if the needle goes all the way through the vein.
A small spur of blood or no flash at all.
Keep the patient's arm in a downward position.
These can be damaged if you shake the collection tube instead of gently mixing it.
Red Blood Cells.
The second vein of choice for venipuncture.
The Median cubital vein.
Having to insert the needle deeper than normal can often occur in this type of patient.
A patient who is overweight.
You do this if you feel you have penetrated all the way through the vein.
Pull back on the needle slightly until proper "flash" is obtained.
The location the collection tube should be kept.
Below the venipuncture site.
When the specimen is dark red it is this type of hemolysis.
Gross.
The third vein of choice for venipuncture.
The cephalic vein.
Before going deeper with the needle you need be sure that this is the problem.
That the vein is actually deeper than normal so you do not risk injury to nerves and other anatomy.
Penetrating all the way through the vein may lead to the patient developing this.
A hematoma.