What are the possible effects of a poorly performed venipuncture?
What are the possible effects of a poorly performed venipuncture?
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.
What are two main problems that can happen during venipuncture?
Serious complications were defined as cellulitis, phlebitis, diaphoresis, hypotension, near syncope, syncope, and seizure activity. Results: Minor bruising and hematoma were fairly common, involving 12.3% of venipunctures, with minor bruising being the most common reaction.
What does venipuncture mean in a blood test?
(VEE-nih-PUNK-cher) A procedure in which a needle is used to take blood from a vein, usually for laboratory testing. Venipuncture may also be done to remove extra red blood cells from the blood, to treat certain blood disorders. Also called blood draw and phlebotomy.
Why is venipuncture important?
Venipuncture provides important information for diagnosis and monitoring throughout the course of treatment. The sterility of stored whole blood depends on three factors: aseptic technique, a sterile system for collection and storage, and immediate, continuous refrigeration.
What does it mean when no blood comes out of your veins?
The most common causes of venous insufficiency are previous cases of blood clots and varicose veins. When forward flow through the veins is obstructed — such as in the case of a blood clot — blood builds up below the clot, which can lead to venous insufficiency.
Why does my blood come out slow when drawn?
Your veins contain much of the fluids in your body, so if you haven’t had much to drink the day of your draw, those little fluid filled vessels will not be as easy to access and are more likely to collapse flat when a needle is inserted.
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.
What causes excessive bleeding during venipuncture?
Some of the causes of haematoma formation after venepuncture are small fragile veins, needle too large, excessive probing to find vein, removing the needle prior to releasing the tourni- quest, needle going all the way through the vein, needle only partially entering the vein allowing leakage, apply- ing pressure to …
Which sites should you avoid for venipuncture?
Do not use the tip of the finger or the center of the finger. Avoid the side of the finger where there is less soft tissue, where vessels and nerves are located, and where the bone is closer to the surface. The 2nd (index) finger tends to have thicker, callused skin.
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.
What site should be avoided in venipuncture?
Venipuncture should not be performed on the hematomas, edematous areas, scarred areas, arm in which blood is being transfused, sites above an IV cannula, arms on the side of mastectomy, and arms with fistulas or vascular grafts .
What are the steps in venipuncture?
Perform venipuncture using the following steps: Place your thumb BELOW the venipuncture site to anchor the vein. Have the patient ball up their hand (form a fist). Puncture the vein quickly and at a 30 degree angle or less. Once the blood has been collected, first release the tourniquet.
What is the most common site for doing venipuncture?
The most commonly used site for a venipuncture is at the bend of the elbow, also called the antecubital fossa. Several veins in the antecubital fossa provide excellent access. The median cubital vein, a superficial vein that forms a connection point between the cephalic and basilic veins of the arm is large, and therefore easier to see and feel.
What is venipuncture for a phlebotomist?
Venipuncture, also spelled, venopuncture, or venepuncture, is a process to gain intravenous access to a particular vein for the purpose of blood sampling, or blood treatment. It is most likely performed by one of the following persons: EMT (emergency medical technicians), paramedics, phlebotomists, or dialysis technicians.