Venipuncture which veins

If there is not an alternate vein to draw,. The tourniquet should be applied between the IV site and the venipuncture. If drawing above the IV site is the only option, then the IV infusion. As there is still a risk that the sample could be. The lab may reject the specimen as. Palpate and trace the path of the vein with the index finger. Arteries pulsate, are. Thrombosed veins lack. If you are using a tourniquet for. Procedure and Performance of a Venipuncture:. Apply the. Do not place.

Instruct the patient to make a. Select the. Allow to air dry. Do not dry the site with gauze and do not blow on the area to dry as this. After cleansing the area, if it is accidentally. Swiftly insert the needle through. See diagram. It is possible that a nerve has been punctured.

The venipuncture should be repeated in a. A Supervisor or Manager should be notified and the incident. Forceful, direct pressure should be. The nursing staff should be notified, and they in turn must notify. A laboratory Supervisor or Manager should also be notified.

If the blood is flowing. Loosen the tourniquet, as it may be obstructing blood. If you are vacutaining, try another tube — there may be no vacuum in. In the case of a difficult venipuncture, an. A third stick is allowable if a partial sample has been. While the needle is still in the vein, activate the. If you used a needle and syringe, ask. Return to your. Apply a band-aid or CoFlex to. Remove the tourniquet before removing the needle. Make sure the.

A hematoma can cause a post-phlebotomy compression injury. Avoid drawing blood from a hematoma. If using a needle.

Avoid probing for the vein. If using a blood. Excessive probing uncalculated side-to-side. If there is any concern regarding injury, contact nursing for.

Inpatients and follow the Policy for Proper Handling of an Uncooperative. Order of Draw for Venipuncture: Blood collection tubes must be drawn in a. Na Citrate Coagulation tubes — light blue top tube. Non-additive tube — red top tube. SST red or gold top — this tube contains a gel separator and clot. Sodium Heparin — green top tube. Lithium Heparin — green top tube. EDTA — lavender top tube. If Gases venous — no O2 reported are drawn with a needle and syringe, the. Tubes with additives or clot.

Ernst, Dennis J. Adapted from Phlebotomy for Nurses and. Nursing Personnel. HealthStar Press, Inc. Kiechle, Frederick L. Introduction to Phlebotomy, 11 th Edition. Northfield, IL: College of American. Procedures for the Collection of Diagnostic Blood Specimens by. Venipuncture; Approved Standard — Sixth Edition. While we are ranked among the best children's hospitals in the country, it's our compassionate approach to treatment that makes us truly exceptional.

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The median cubital vein, also known as the antecubital vein, is the most common vein for phlebotomy. Located in the antecubital fossa, the median cubital vein is a well anchored, stable vein that rarely rolls during venipuncture. The median cubital vein is used the most for its accessibility. The median cubital creates less bruising and pain than other draw sites. Within the antecubital fossa, this vein poses the least amount of risk.

Unlike the cephalic and basilic veins, the median cubital vein is not near major nerves or arteries. The cephalic vein is a safe secondary option if the median cubital vein is not working. This vein can be found along the upper arm to the thumb, but it is commonly drawn from the forearm or antecubital fossa area.

Also found in the antecubital fossa, the basilic vein serves as a last resort for blood draws. It is not as close to the skin surface as the median cubital and cephalic veins, which poses a greater risk of damage to the median nerve and brachial artery. While the median cubital, cephalic, and basilic veins are the most popular draw sites for blood draws, phlebotomists may resort to other draw sites if their ability to draw is restricted.

The dorsal venous network is the next most common vein site for phlebotomists. Dorsal hand veins are often utilized for intravenous infusions but are viable options for blood draw sites. However, drawing blood from the hand is affiliated with higher levels of pain and less control.

As a countermeasure, phlebotomists anchor the vein with their hand to stabilize it for the draw. Phlebotomy is not a one size fits all; each patient is different and may have their blood drawn at other sites with varying needle sizes.

The first step to choosing the right vein is to select the appropriate needle gauge. Asking the patient about their previous blood draw experiences is beneficial, especially if they are a hard stick and know which area works best. After the needle selection, phlebotomists begin to look and feel for a viable vein.