Table of Contents
What causes difficult blood draw?
If you have been to a clinic or lab before and had the phlebotomist stick you more than once for a blood draw, you may have been told that you are a “difficult stick.” This can happen to people for quite a few different reasons, including small or deep veins, rolling veins, dehydration, collapsing veins, constricted Sep 6, 2016.
Why is it hard to find a vein in my arm?
As a result of normal physiological variation, some individuals may have small, thin, or hard-to-find veins, making it a challenge for even an experienced medical lab technician to draw blood. This can sometimes be a result of dehydration, which causes the body to constrict its blood vessels.
What does it mean when your veins are hard to find?
Why Are Some Veins More Difficult? Veins can be difficult for a variety of reasons. Some people are genetically predisposed to having problematic veins, or their age causes the veins to be smaller or hidden. In most instances, however, it is a matter of the patient being dehydrated.
How do you make your veins easier to draw blood?
Tips and Tricks for Accessing Problem Veins Get warm. When the body is warm, blood flow increases, dilating the veins and making them easier to find and stick. Use gravity. Increase blood flow to your arm and hand by letting gravity do the work. Hydrate. When the body is properly hydrated, veins become more dilated. Relax.
What is the most common complication of phlebotomy?
Hematoma: The most common complication of phlebotomy procedure.
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 causes difficult IV access?
Difficult IV access is usually associated with repeated insertion attempts and catheter-related complications. These are not only time-consuming and material-intensive, but also lead to an increased stress level among the nursing staff and the patient, combined with an increased perception of pain.
How can I make my blood draw less painful?
Here are some ways to minimize these reactions and stay calm: Focus on taking deep, full breaths before getting a blood draw. Take your headphones and listen to music before and during the draw. Have the person taking your blood tell you to look away before they bring a needle near your arm.
What causes veins to pop out in arms and hands?
Bulging veins can occur due to: Temporarily rising blood pressure and/or body temperature. When you’re exercising or working with your hands, blood flow in the area increases. Veins also swell in warmer conditions, as the body sends blood toward the surface of the skin to cool down.
Why does my blood stop flowing during a blood draw?
IF BLOOD STOPS FLOWING INTO THE TUBE: The vein may have collapsed; resecure the tourniquet to increase venous filling. If this is not successful, remove the needle, take care of the puncture site, and redraw. The needle may have pulled out of the vein when switching tubes.
When is a vein blown?
Blown veins occur when a needle injures or irritates a vein, causing blood to leak into the surrounding area. In some cases, IV fluid or medication may also leak from the vein. Blown veins are usually not serious and will heal with treatment. A doctor or nurse may use pressure or ice to reduce any swelling.
How can I not be scared of blood drawn?
Taking slow, deep breaths while having your blood drawn may help calm your nerves and relax your body overall. Try inhaling slowly to the count of four, and then exhaling for the same amount of time. Focus on keeping your breathing even and steady the entire time.
What are disadvantages of skin puncture?
Fainting or feeling lightheaded. Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) Scarring (occurs when there have been multiple punctures in the same area) Calcified nodules (sometimes occurs in infants, but usually disappear by 30 months of age)May 17, 2019.
What happens if too much blood is drawn?
For every 50 mL of blood drawn, a patient’s risk of developing moderate to severe hospital-acquired anemia increased by18%. The risk was only slightly attenuated after multivariable adjustment. The average blood loss per patient varied significantly among hospitals, from 53.0 mL to 109.6 mL for the entire cohort.
When is blood drawn wrong?
Even a small mistake can result in a blown vein Blown veins leak blood, which makes them unusable for medical needs. With rest, healthy people typically recover from blown veins. Blown veins result from using too much force, the wrong angle or the wrong needle size in many cases.
What are the side effects of phlebotomy?
Phlebotomists must follow the procedure presented in the guidelines to avoid backflow. Hematoma, allergy, hyperventilation, air embolism, anemia and thrombosis are other side effects occasionally caused by phlebotomy.
How do you treat nerve damage from blood draw?
Unless it becomes infected (worsening pain and redness), ice packs and anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen, are recommended. It should clear up in a few days, but if it does not, you might want to see a doctor. A more serious injury from a blood draw is nerve damage.
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.
Why does my arm hurt after blood draw?
After having your blood drawn, it’s fairly normal to have a small bruise. A bruise usually appears because small blood vessels are accidentally damaged as your healthcare provider inserts the needle. A bruise might also form if there wasn’t enough pressure applied after the needle is removed.
