Perform Venipuncture Collect a Venous Blood Sample Using the Syringe Method

Summary

This video script offers a detailed walkthrough of the venipuncture procedure, emphasizing the importance of preparation, patient interaction, and accuracy. From verifying patient identity and explaining the process to selecting the puncture site and safely drawing blood, the script guides viewers through each step with care. It also covers post-procedure actions, including securing the sample, disposing of materials, and documenting the process, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of safe and effective blood collection.

Takeaways

• 📝 Verify the requisition form to understand the tests required and gather the necessary supplies, including a syringe, vacuum tubes, and safety equipment.
• 🔬 Use a 21 or 22 gauge safety needle for venipuncture to ensure patient safety and comfort.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Introduce yourself to the patient and confirm their identity using two identifiers to ensure the correct patient is being treated.
• 🙌 Explain the procedure to the patient, obtain their consent, and ensure they understand the purpose of the blood draw.
• 💉 Prepare the syringe and needle properly, ensuring the plunger is loosened and the needle is securely attached.
• 🩹 Apply the tourniquet correctly, avoiding restriction of arterial blood flow, and ask the patient to make a fist to help veins become more visible.
• 🔍 Select the appropriate venipuncture site by palpating the antecubital space and tracing the vein's path.
• 🧪 Clean the venipuncture site with an alcohol pad, working from the center outward, and allow the area to dry before proceeding.
• 💉 Insert the needle at a 15-degree angle, ensuring a flash of blood in the hub indicates successful entry into the vein.
• 🩸 After obtaining blood, release the tourniquet before withdrawing the needle and apply sterile gauze to the puncture site with firm pressure.
• 🌡️ Transfer the blood to the required tubes using a safety transfer device without pushing the syringe plunger to maintain sample quality.
• 🗑️ Dispose of the used syringe and contaminated items properly, and disinfect the work area to maintain hygiene.

Q & A

What is the first step in the venipuncture procedure as described in the script?

The first step is to check the requisition form to determine the tests ordered.

What are the essential supplies typically needed for venipuncture according to the script?

The essential supplies include a syringe with a 21 or 22 gauge safety needle, vacuum tubes, isopropyl alcohol pads, gauze pads, a tourniquet, a safety transfer device, hypoallergenic tape, a permanent marking pen or labels, a fluid impermeable lab coat, and disposable gloves.

How should the medical assistant introduce themselves to the patient?

The medical assistant should introduce themselves by name and their role, for example, 'My name is Claudia, I'm a medical assistant.'

What is the purpose of verifying the patient's identity using two identifiers?

Verifying the patient's identity using two identifiers ensures that the correct patient is being treated, reducing the risk of medical errors.

Why is it important to explain the procedure to the patient before starting venipuncture?

Explaining the procedure helps the patient understand what will happen, which can reduce anxiety and obtain their permission for the venipuncture.

What should the patient do when asked to make a fist during venipuncture?

The patient should make a fist to help the veins become more prominent and easier to locate for the needle insertion.

Why is it necessary to clean the venipuncture site with an alcohol pad?

Cleaning the venipuncture site with an alcohol pad is crucial for disinfection to prevent infection at the injection site.

What angle should be used when inserting the needle for venipuncture?

The needle should be inserted at a 15-degree angle to the skin.

Why is it important to release the tourniquet before withdrawing the needle?

Releasing the tourniquet before withdrawing the needle helps to prevent excessive blood flow once the needle is out and ensures the sample is not overly diluted.

What should be done with the blood sample after it is collected?

The blood sample should be immediately transferred to the required tubes using a safety transfer device, without pushing on the syringe plunger to avoid affecting sample quality.

How should the puncture site be managed after the needle is withdrawn?

Sterile gauze should be placed over the puncture site, and gentle firm pressure should be applied. The patient should also apply direct pressure with the sterile gauze, and the arm should be kept elevated but not bent.

Outlines

00:00

💉 Venipuncture Procedure Overview

This paragraph outlines the essential steps of the venipuncture procedure. It begins with a checklist of supplies needed, including a syringe, safety needle, vacuum tubes, alcohol pads, gauze, a tourniquet, and a safety transfer device. The script then describes the importance of introducing oneself, verifying the patient's identity, and explaining the procedure to obtain consent. It also covers the preparation of the patient's arm, including the application of the tourniquet and the selection of the puncture site. The paragraph concludes with the initial steps of the actual venipuncture, including needle insertion and the collection of the first drop of blood.

🔍 Detailed Steps of Venipuncture

This section provides a detailed account of the venipuncture process, emphasizing the technical aspects of drawing blood. It describes how to prepare the syringe, apply the tourniquet, and locate a suitable vein. The script instructs on the proper technique for needle insertion, including the angle and the importance of a flash of blood as confirmation of successful venipuncture. It also explains the process of filling the syringe with the correct volume of blood, releasing the tourniquet, and safely withdrawing the needle. The paragraph further details the immediate post-venipuncture actions, such as applying pressure to the puncture site and activating the needle safety device.

🛡️ Safety and Post-Procedure Care

The final paragraph focuses on safety measures and post-procedure care following venipuncture. It instructs on the proper disposal of the used syringe and the transfer of blood to the required tubes without affecting sample quality. The script emphasizes the importance of inverting the tubes to mix the anticoagulant and inspecting the puncture site for bleeding or hematoma. It also covers the application of a hypoallergenic pressure bandage and the disposal of contaminated items. The paragraph concludes with the administrative tasks of completing the laboratory requisition form, documenting the procedure, and thorough disinfection of the work area.

Keywords

💡Venipuncture

Venipuncture is the process of drawing blood from a patient's vein, typically for testing or transfusion. It is central to the video's theme, which is to demonstrate the proper procedure for performing a venipuncture. The script describes the steps involved in venipuncture, such as selecting a puncture site, applying a tourniquet, and inserting the needle.

💡Requisition Form

A requisition form is a document used in medical settings to request specific tests or procedures. In the context of the video, the form is checked to determine which tests have been ordered, indicating the types of blood samples needed. It is an essential part of the preparation for venipuncture.

💡Safety Needle

A safety needle is a type of needle designed to prevent needlestick injuries to healthcare workers. The video emphasizes the importance of using a 21 or 22 gauge safety needle for venipuncture, highlighting the commitment to safety in medical procedures.

💡Vacuum Tubes

Vacuum tubes are used in medical testing to collect and store blood samples. The script mentions using vacuum tubes for the tests ordered, illustrating their role in the process of collecting and preserving blood for analysis.

💡Tourniquet

A tourniquet is a device used to apply pressure to a limb, constricting blood flow to make veins more visible and accessible. In the script, the tourniquet is applied above the elbow and is crucial for locating a suitable vein for venipuncture.

💡Vena Puncture Site

The vena puncture site refers to the location on the patient's arm where the needle is inserted to draw blood. The script describes palpating the antecubital space to find a vein and selecting the puncture site, which is a critical step in the venipuncture process.

💡Antiseptic

Antiseptic solutions, such as isopropyl alcohol, are used to clean the skin and prevent infection at the puncture site. The script details cleaning the venipuncture site with an alcohol pad, emphasizing the importance of aseptic technique in medical procedures.

💡Needle Safety Device

A needle safety device is a mechanism on a syringe that helps to prevent accidental needlestick injuries after use. The script instructs to activate the needle safety device immediately after withdrawing the needle, showcasing the priority of safety in medical practice.

💡Blood Sample

A blood sample is a portion of blood taken for medical testing. The video's script describes the process of drawing blood into a syringe and transferring it to vacuum tubes, which is fundamental to obtaining a blood sample for analysis.

💡Hypoallergenic Tape

Hypoallergenic tape is a type of adhesive tape designed to cause minimal allergic reaction. The script mentions using hypoallergenic tape to secure a bandage after the procedure, indicating attention to patient comfort and safety.

💡Laboratory Requisition Form

A laboratory requisition form is a document that accompanies a specimen to a lab, providing details about the patient and the tests to be performed. The script's final step includes completing and routing this form with the specimen, which is essential for proper sample processing and analysis.

Highlights

Venipuncture involves several important steps for accurate blood collection.

Check the requisition form to determine the tests ordered for proper preparation.

Gather essential supplies including syringe, safety needle, vacuum tubes, and alcohol pads.

Introduce yourself and greet the patient to establish rapport and trust.

Verify patient identity using two identifiers to ensure correct specimen collection.

Explain the procedure and obtain patient's permission for venipuncture.

Inspect patient's arms and ask for preference to respect patient comfort.

Proper patient positioning is crucial for successful venipuncture.

Assemble needle and syringe correctly to ensure smooth operation.

Apply tourniquet correctly without restricting arterial blood flow.

Palpate the antecubital space to select the best vena puncture site.

Clean the venipuncture site thoroughly with an alcohol pad and allow it to dry.

Insert the needle at a 15-degree angle for optimal vein access.

Look for a flash of blood in the hub to confirm proper needle placement.

Pull back on the plunger to fill the syringe with the correct volume of blood.

Release the tourniquet before withdrawing the needle to prevent blood vessel damage.

Apply sterile gauze and pressure to the puncture site to stop bleeding.

Activate the needle safety device to prevent needlestick injuries.

Transfer blood to required tubes using a safety transfer device without affecting sample quality.

Dispose of the syringe unit and contaminated items properly to maintain hygiene.

Invert vacuum tubes to mix anticoagulant with blood and prevent clotting.

Inspect the puncture site for bleeding or hematoma and apply a hypoallergenic bandage if needed.

Complete documentation and route the specimen to the laboratory for testing.

Thoroughly disinfect the work area and sanitize hands to prevent cross-contamination.

Transcripts

[Music]

venipuncture involves several

important steps thoroughly understanding

these steps

will give you the confidence to perform

this procedure quickly and accurately

check the requisition form to determine

the tests ordered

gather your tubes and supplies typically

you'll need a syringe of appropriate

size with a 21

or 22 gauge safety needle vacuum tubes

for the tests

ordered 70 isopropyl alcohol pads

gauze pads a tourniquet a safety

transfer device

hypoallergenic tape a permanent marking

pen

or printed labels and a fluid

impermeable lab coat and disposable

gloves

introduce yourself and greet the patient

my name is claudia i'm a medical

assistant

put on a fluid impermeable lab coat

sanitize your hands

and put on disposable gloves to make

sure you have the right patient

verify his identity using two

identifiers can you confirm your name

and date of birth

yes it's rick explain the procedure and

obtain permission for the venipuncture

looks like the doctor wants to send some

studies for your cholesterol and glucose

so i'll have to draw some blood for

today inspect both of your patients arms

and ask your patient if he has a

preference do you have a preference

which

arm we use i prefer the right okay help

your patient

sit with his arm well supported and

straight in a slightly downward position

assemble the needle and syringe attach

the needle firmly to the syringe

pull and depress the plunger several

times to loosen it in the barrel while

keeping the cover on

the needle the plunger must be pushed in

completely after it has been loosened

apply the tourniquet around the

patient's arm three to four inches above

the elbow

the tourniquet should never be tied so

tightly that it restricts blood flow

in the artery next

ask your patient to make a fist can you

make a fist for me

select the vena puncture site by

palpating the antecubital space

once you've found a vein use your index

finger to trace the path of the vein

and judge its depth clean the

venipuncture site with an alcohol pad

begin in the center of the area and work

outward in a circular pattern

give the area time to dry before you

proceed

pick up the syringe with your dominant

hand your thumb should be on top of the

syringe

and your fingers beneath it remove the

needle cover

grasp your patient's arm with your

non-dominant hand

and anchor the vein you can do this by

gently stretching the skin downward

below the venipuncture site

with the bevel up and the needle aligned

parallel to the vein

insert the needle quickly and smoothly

at a 15 degree angle to the skin

look for a flash of blood in the hub of

the syringe

this tells you that the needle is in the

vein make sure you don't move the needle

after entering the vein

ask the patient to release his fist hey

release your fist for me

now slowly pull back on the plunger of

the syringe with your non-dominant hand

don't allow more than one milliliter of

head space between the blood

and the top of the plunger fill the

barrel of the syringe to the correct

volume

once you have the proper volume of blood

in the syringe release the tourniquet

the tourniquet must be released before

you withdraw the needle from the

patient's arm

the tourniquet should only remain in

place for one minute

with your non-dominant hand place

sterile gauze over the puncture site as

you withdraw the needle

apply gentle firm pressure to the site

using your dominant hand immediately

activate the needle safety device

ask your patient to apply direct

pressure on the site with the sterile

gauze

the patient can elevate his arm but he

shouldn't bend it

okay let's keep your arm elevated remove

the syringe safety needle

and use the safety transfer device to

transfer the blood immediately to the

required tubes

do not push on the syringe plunger

during transfer

doing so can affect the sample quality

when you're finished transferring the

blood throw away the entire syringe unit

in the sharps container

blood begins to clock quickly after

collection so you'll need to invert the

vacuum tubes to gently mix the

anticoagulant with the blood sample

inspect the puncture site for bleeding

or a hematoma

apply a hypoallergenic pressure bandage

to the site

to prevent bleeding or bruising properly

dispose of any blood contaminated items

like the gauze and your gloves disinfect

the work area thoroughly

remove your lab coat and sanitize your

hands

complete the laboratory requisition form

and route it

with the specimen to the proper place

document the procedure in the patient's

record

[Music]