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Phlebotomy is when someone uses a needle to take blood from a vein, usually in your arm. Also called a blood draw or venipuncture, it’s an important tool for diagnosing many medical conditions.
When should venipuncture be avoided?
If the antecubital area of the patient’s arm is compromised or inaccessible, an alternate site must be chosen for venipuncture such as the top of the hand. However, some sites must be avoided due to the risk of complications and/or unnecessary pain to the patient.
How many attempts can a phlebotomist make when drawing blood?
Do not attempt a venipuncture more than twice. Notify your supervisor or patient’s physician if unsuccessful. 5. Select the appropriate vein for venipuncture.
What is the most common complication of phlebotomy?
Hematoma: The most common complication of phlebotomy procedure.
What do phlebotomist do besides draw blood?
In addition to taking patient blood samples, you might perform clerical tasks, maintain equipment, conduct lab work or perform data entry. Phlebotomists are typically also trained to help patients feel comfortable for a procedure; and on how to provide assistance if a patient has an adverse reaction to a procedure.
What blood tests increase stress phlebotomy?
A cortisol blood test is one of the most commonly used blood tests. Cortisol is a hormone that is released by the adrenal glands when one is under stress. Higher levels of cortisol would indicate higher levels of stress.
What’s the order of draw in phlebotomy?
The recommended order of draw for plastic collection tubes is: First – blood culture bottle or tube (yellow or yellow-black top) Second – coagulation tube (light blue top). Third – non-additive tube (red top) Last draw – additive tubes in this order:.
Why a phlebotomist must never place a tourniquet on an arm above an IV site?
Blood that is drawn from a vein that has an intravenous (IV) line may be diluted by the IV fluid. This can ultimately affect the accuracy of the blood test results. Therefore, an arm containing an IV should not be used to draw blood specimens if it can be avoided.
How many times in a 24 hour can a phlebotomist legally attempt to draw blood from one patient?
Each individual may attempt up to total of two (2) venipunctures per patient.
Why might you need to wear a mask during a phlebotomy procedure?
May be needed to protect the phlebotomist or may be required to protect the patient from potential infection in some cases. Safety goggles and mask should both be worn to adequately protect the eyes and mucous membranes from exposure to bloodborne pathogens if there is the potential for splashes or sprays of blood.
What are 3 complications that can occur with a venipuncture procedure?
Complications that can arise from venepuncture include haematoma forma- tion, nerve damage, pain, haemaconcentration, extra- vasation, iatrogenic anaemia, arterial puncture, pete- chiae, allergies, fear and phobia, infection, syncope and fainting, excessive bleeding, edema and thrombus.
How long does it take to recover from a phlebotomy?
You should begin to feel better 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, but this will vary from one person to another. Call your physician if you are concerned about how you feel after the procedure.
Can you tell me what phlebitis is?
Phlebitis means “inflammation of a vein”. The vein becomes inflamed because there’s blood clotting inside it or the vein walls are damaged.
Do phlebotomists test blood?
Phlebotomists take samples of blood for testing. The blood samples may be needed to learn more about a particular patient, or they may be used in research. Phlebotomists also collect blood from donors for those in need of blood transfusions.
Can phlebotomists give injections?
Phlebotomists don’t usually give intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injections. Also, they do not administer intravenous drugs or any other kind of fluids for patients. As these things do not come under their expertise, trained nurses or physicians usually perform these tasks.
What two skills are important for phlebotomy?
To help you decide if a career as a Phlebotomist is right for you we have compiled a list of the 5 qualities that every phlebotomist should have. Compassion. A Phlebotomist’s primary duty is drawing blood. Detail oriented. Hand–eye coordination. Ability to Multitask. Team Player.
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 position should a patient never be in when having blood drawn?
DO NOT DRAW BLOOD ON A STANDING PERSON. Ask patient if s/he has had any previous problems having blood drawn. If necessary, recline chair If patient is prone to fainting or being ill.
How do you not pass out when getting blood drawn?
So what steps can you take to prevent fainting during your blood draw? Try not to skip meals. Don’t fast for too long. Stay hydrated. Avoid standing for prolonged periods of time. Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake. Try sleeping with your legs elevated.
Which tubes to draw for labs?
This is known as the Order of Draw. Blood Culture Tubes or Vials. Coagulation Tubes (Blue-Top Tubes) Serum Tubes without Clot Activator or Gel (Red-Top tubes) Serum Tubes with Clot Activator or Gel (Gold or Tiger Top Tubes) Heparin Tubes (Green-Top Tubes) EDTA Tubes (Lavender-Top Tubes).
What is a short draw in phlebotomy?
A term of art for a tube of blood drawn for analysis of chemistries or cells that has less than the recommended volume.
Which blood culture do you draw first?
The blue (aerobic) blood culture bottle should be filled first, then the purple (anaerobic) bottle as the butterfly tubing may contain air. Air entering the purple bottle will impede the growth of anaerobic organisms.
What to do if you hit an artery during venipuncture?
What to do if you hit an artery: Untie your tourniquet and pull your needle out immediately. Raise the limb above your head to stop the bleeding, if possible. Apply firm pressure to the wound for at least 10 minutes.
Can you make up a saying to remember the order of the draw?
Below is a simple and easy to remember acronym you can put to use right away. This will help you remember the blood draw order along with the tube color when performing venipuncture. The acronym is Boys Love Ravishing Girls Like Dieters Love Greek Yogurt! Feel free to switch it up to make it easy to remember for YOU.
Can you draw blood from the same vein twice?
The needles used for blood tests are designed to minimise damage to the vein, but repeated blood tests are still likely to cause scarring. Eventually the vein can become so scarred, and the wall so damaged, that it cannot be used for blood tests, but the number of times varies widely from person to person.