Table of Contents
Do phlebotomist draw arterial blood?
The primary responsibility of a phlebotomist is to collect blood for laboratory analysis, which is necessary for diagnosis and care of the patient. Collection of a quality specimen is the first step in providing an accurate test result.
Who draws arterial blood?
How to Draw an ABG. An Arterial Blood Gas requires the nurse to collect a small sample of blood – generally, a full 1 ml³ is preferred. Blood can be drawn via an arterial stick from the wrist, groin, or above the elbow. The radial artery on the wrist is most commonly used to obtain the sample.
Is it OK to draw blood from an artery?
Puncture of an artery may be more uncomfortable than puncture of a vein. This is because arteries are deeper than veins. Arteries also have thicker walls and have more nerves. When the needle is inserted, there may be some discomfort or pain.
Do you draw blood from vein or artery?
Veins are favored over arteries because they have thinner walls, and thus they are easier to pierce. There is also lower blood pressure in veins so that bleeding can be stopped more quickly and easily than with arterial puncture.
How do you avoid hitting an artery in phlebotomy?
Ice – do not place directly on the skin but under a cloth. Compression – pressing on the point where the needle was inserted when a bruise has appeared may reduce the size of the bruise which is forming. Elevation – if possible, raise your arm above the level of your heart when at rest.
What happens if you draw blood from an artery instead of a vein?
Arterial injection occurs when the individual hits an artery, not a vein. Hitting an artery can be painful and dangerous. Arterial blood travels away from the heart so whatever is injected goes straight to body limbs and extremities. Injection particles get stuck in blood capillaries and cut off circulation.
Which artery is typically the easiest to access?
SUMMARY: Although the common femoral artery is the easiest and most widely accepted access site for cerebral angiography, atherosclerotic, aortoiliac, or femoral artery disease can preclude this approach.
Do you use a tourniquet for arterial puncture?
Select arm for venipuncture and apply clean tourniquet. A tourniquet is used to increase venous filling and makes the veins more prominent and easier to enter. Never leave the tourniquet on for longer than one (1) minute. To do so may result in either hemoconcentration or a variation in blood test values.
What can happen if you accidentally draw blood from an artery?
Accidental arterial puncture is an extremely rare complication of blood donation. The commonest outcome of such injury is thrombosis and formation of localized haematoma. Rarer sequelae include arteriovenous fistula, false aneurysm development, and compartment syndrome.
How do you know if you hit an artery instead of a vein?
You’ll know you hit an artery if: The plunger of your syringe is forced back by the pressure of the blood. When you register, the blood in your syringe is bright red and ‘gushing. ‘ Blood in veins is dark red, slow-moving, and “lazy.”Aug 31, 2020.
Which type of artery controls blood flow to organs?
The main artery is the aorta that branches into major arteries that take blood to different limbs and organs.
Which type of phlebotomy involves collecting blood from veins?
Venipuncture is the process of collecting or “draw- ing” blood from a vein and the most common way to collect blood specimens for laboratory testing.
Can you put an IV in an artery?
The cephalic vein of the forearm is often used for intravenous (i.v) cannulation because it is large, consistent and well-splinted by bone. Although radial artery lies some distance away from the cephalic vein, accessory branches of the radial artery running close to the cephalic forearm vein have been described.
Can you inject into an artery?
Injection of drug into an artery is a sporadic event. It may be accidental or associated with drug abuse. At first sight it appears puzzling because the simple expedient of withdrawing blood into the syringe prior to an ‘IV’ injection should preclude its occurrence.
Are arteries deeper than veins?
Arteries carry blood away from the heart and veins return blood to the heart. Veins are generally larger in diameter, carry more blood volume and have thinner walls in proportion to their lumen. Arteries are smaller, have thicker walls in proportion to their lumen and carry blood under higher pressure than veins.
Why can you see veins but not arteries?
You cannot see arteries in the same way arteries carry oxygenated blood from the lungs because arteries are buried deep inside tissue. But veins run along the surface of your tissues, often just under your skin, so they are easily seen.
Why do they do arterial blood draw?
An arterial blood gases test is done to check for severe breathing and lung problems. The test also checks how well treatments for lung problems are working. And the test can look for changes in how well your lungs, heart, or kidneys are working.
Can nurses draw ABGS?
Most ABG samples can be drawn by a respiratory technician or specially trained nurse. Collection from the femoral artery, however, is usually performed by a doctor.
What is the first thing the phlebotomist should do?
To collect blood from an arm vein, the phlebotomist first introduces himself/herself to the patient, properly identify the patient, wash their hands, put on gloves, applies a tourniquet to the upper arm to slow blood flow. An alcohol swab is used to disinfect a small area near the inside of the elbow.
Is arterial puncture less painful than venipuncture?
Arterial puncture is a common procedure in the hospital to allow assessment of pulmonary gas exchange. Compared with venipuncture, arterial puncture is more difficult, requires a deeper needle insertion, and is more painful for the patient.
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.
What are the arteries and veins in the arm a phlebotomist should know?
The antecubital area of the arm is usually the first choice for routine venipuncture. This area contains the three vessels primarily used by the phlebotomist to obtain venous blood specimens: the median cubital, the cephalic and the basilic veins.
