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Getting blood drawn is a simple process, but the most common complication associated with it is bruising. Your doctor might call this kind of bruise is also called a hematoma. That’s a swollen area filled with blood. A hematoma that you get after a blood test often looks more serious than it is.
What are the side effects of drawing blood?
Side effects bleeding. bruising. lightheadedness (especially after donating blood) rash. skin irritation from tape or adhesive from an applied bandage. soreness.
Can a bad blood draw cause permanent damage?
Medical professionals train so that they can easily and accurately insert a needle into someone’s vein to draw blood or give a drug without damaging the nearby tissue.
What happens if blood is drawn too quickly?
Unsafe phlebotomy can cause adverse effects for patients; such effects are rare, but range from pain or bruising at the site of puncture, to fainting, nerve damage and haematoma.
Can a blood test damage your vein?
Every time you have a blood test or an IV line in your arm, it damages the veins. Repeated blood tests cause progressive scarring to your veins. Some people, especially those with kidney disease or diabetes, need a lot of regular blood tests, and their veins can get damaged over time.
What is the most common patient concern when having blood drawn?
Getting blood drawn is a simple process, but the most common complication associated with it is bruising. Your doctor might call this kind of bruise is also called a hematoma. That’s a swollen area filled with blood. A hematoma that you get after a blood test often looks more serious than it is.
What is the most common complication of phlebotomy?
Hematoma: The most common complication of phlebotomy procedure.
What happens if a nerve is hit during a blood draw?
There are bundles of nerves close to your major veins, and if one of those nerves is nicked or punctured by the phlebotomist (the person drawing your blood), you could experience the following: The feeling of an electric shock during the procedure. Persistent pain in the arm. Numbness and tingling in the arm and hand.
How do I know if I have nerve damage from a blood draw?
Types of nerve injury sharp acute pain at venipuncture site. sharp shooting pain up or down the arm. sensation of pain that changes in severity depending on needle position. “pins and needles” sensation or an “electric shock” feeling traveling down the arm from the venipuncture site.
Why does my arm hurt so bad after blood draw?
This is completely normal and should not cause you any concern. Although bruising can be unsightly, it should resolve over the next few days without intervention. Very rarely, pain or discomfort in your arm, hand, or fingers can indicate inflammation of the arm, a tendon or nerve injury, or the puncture of an artery.
Can you get a blood clot from a blood draw?
Superficial thrombophlebitis can occur after a blood draw or IV. It is also not unusual to get clots in a cluster of large varicose veins. In general, superficial thrombophlebitis is not dangerous, just painful until it resolves.
What is the most critical error a phlebotomist make?
Some of the most common equipment-related mistakes include leaving the tourniquet on the patient for too long, not sterilizing the equipment properly, and not using the correct needle gauge.
Why does my vein hurt after blood draw?
Superficial thrombophlebitis is an inflammation of a vein just below the surface of the skin, which results from a blood clot. This condition may occur after recently using an IV line, or after trauma to the vein. Some symptoms can include pain and tenderness along the vein and hardening and feeling cord-like.
How long does it take for a vein to heal after a blood draw?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), bruising after a blood draw typically heals quickly. However, if the bruise is large, it may take 2–3 weeks to fade and disappear. A person should call their doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms : the hand becoming discolored.
Why do I feel sick after a blood test?
The most likely reason you felt sick to your stomach when you had your blood drawn is that your body was having a vasovagal reaction. This is a physical response from your nervous system. It can be triggered by seeing the needle, seeing your own blood, or just feeling anxious about the whole thing.
What is the signs of nerve damage?
The signs of nerve damage include the following: Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. Feeling like you’re wearing a tight glove or sock. Muscle weakness, especially in your arms or legs.
What happens when a needle hits a blood vessel?
A blown vein occurs when a needle punctures through the vein and causes it to rupture. It may sting and bruise, but it’s generally a minor injury that clears up within a few days.
Is it common to hit a nerve when drawing blood?
There are no studies showing how often patients are hurt during routine blood draws, but a 1996 study of blood donors (a larger needle is used in blood donation than in routine venipuncture) found that 1 in 6,300 donors suffered a nerve injury.
Why did my blood draw hurt?
For example, you may have a tiny branch of one of the sensory nerves of the arm actually running over the surface of the vein. Rarely, the needle will hit this tiny nerve on the way into the vein. This may cause a short, sharp electric-shock type pain.
How long should arm hurt after blood drawn?
Studies show that most venipuncture-related nerve injuries resolve within 1 to 2 months, and that some take up to 6 months. In only rare cases does it take much longer than that. On the other hand, if they bruise or damage the nerve but don’t cut or puncture it, it should generally heal in 6 to 12 weeks.
How do you feel after a phlebotomy?
What To Expect After Treatment. Some people feel tired or dizzy after phlebotomy. You might get relief from these symptoms by resting for the next 24 hours and drinking plenty of fluids. You may want to have a family member or friend take you home after the procedure.
What are the signs of a blood clot in the arm?
What are the symptoms of a blood clot in your arm? swelling, usually in one arm. cramping-type pain. tenderness to the touch. reddish or bluish tone to the skin. warm to the touch.
Can flushing an IV cause a blood clot?
Overenthusiastic efforts to push IV fluids without disconnection and flushing of IV line may pose a possible risk of embolizing the clotted blood thrombus into circulation.
What is phlebitis look like?
Phlebitis is an inflammation of a vein. The vein is hot, red and lumpy. The lump is tubular in shape and it is tender to touch, it may throb and walking may be painful. The cause of phlebitis in the leg is most often a clot in the vein just under the skin.
