JOSE, Carlos Joseph T.

1NMT

PMTP 2 LAB
ACTIVITY NO. 6
GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. Explain the principle of single draw venipuncture? Explain briefly the procedures.
Many pre-analytical errors and patient management complications may be avoided by establishing a
proper procedure for correct blood collection for the quality of patient results is highly dependent on
the quality of specimen. The procedures are as follows:
1. Identify the patient. Ask for their name and date of birth.
2. Reassure patient that the minimum amount of blood required for testing
will be drawn
3. Verify any diet or time restrictions have been followed.
4. Assemble the necessary equipment
5. Wash hands and put on gloves
6. Position patient properly with the arm properly extended
7. Apply tourniquet 3-4inches above collection site
8. Palpate the appropriate vein for venipuncture
9. Never leave tourniquet for more than 1 min.
10. Clean the puncture site with isopropyl alcohol using cotton
11. Prepare the syringe. Tighten the needle and pull plunger at least three times
so it won’t be stuck.
12. Re-apply tourniquet.
13. Perform venipuncture. Make sure that the bevel is pointed upwards.
14. If blood is seen in the hub, slowly pull the plunger. Once enough blood is
drawn, remove tourniquet.
15. Place a gauze pad over puncture site and remove the needle.
16. Immediately apply slight pressure to the venipuncture site.
17. Tubes must be properly identified
18. Transfer the blood into the appropriate tube
19. Gently invert tubes containing an additive 5-8 times
20. Dispose syringe and needle into an appropriate sharps container.
2. What is haematoma? How do we prevent it during venipuncture?
Haematoma is defined as a collection of blood outside of blood vessels. It is commonly caused by an
injury to the wall of the blood vessel.
To avoid haematoma during venipuncture:
- Puncture only the uppermost vein
- Remove tourniquet before removing the needle
- Use major superficial veins
- Make sure the needle fully penetrates the uppermost wall of vein
- Apply pressure to venipuncture site
 3. What is the size of needle used for blood draws? In adults? In pediatrics?
For adults, needle length is usually 1 or 1 and a half inches, 22-25 gauge, but a longer or shorter needle
may be necessary depending on patient’s weight. As for the pediatrics, a butterfly needle or 23-25 gauge
would be recommended since babies have smaller, thinner, and more difficult veins.
4. What gauge of needles are commonly used in phlebotomy?
21 gauge needle is considered the standard venipuncture needle for routine venipuncture on patients
with normal veins. 22 gauge is used for older children or adult patients with small veins or difficult veins.
23 gauge is the most common and is used on veins of infants and children with difficult veins.
5. How are you going to dispose the materials used in venipuncture?
Be sure to dispose lancets and needle in appropriate sharps container. We must also dispose
contaminated materials in appropriate waste receptacles such as a yellow trash bag.