Phlebotomists: We Want Your Blood! Quiz

Answer: A hollow needle

Hollow needles allow the blood to flow into a collection container. Lancets are used when only a drop of blood is required, such as when testing blood sugar. Syringes may or may not have a hollow needle attached. Syringes with hollow needles are occasionally used in phlebotomy. A solid needle would just block up the puncture.

Answer: Verify her identity

This is extremely important! When you have blood drawn, the phlebotomist should make sure you are the person listed on the lab label. This may include asking you for your last name and checking your date of birth. It isn't going to do you any good if your blood is labeled with another person's name, and it could do you a lot of harm.

Answer: Yes

Some blood containers have chemicals already added to them. If I draw these containers in the wrong order, I can contaminate one container with the chemical from another. Sometimes, these contaminate chemicals can then throw off lab results.

Answer: The front of the elbow, right in the center

The median cubital vein runs past the center of the elbow, in an area known as the antecubital region. The cephalic and basilic vein run to either side of the median cubital vein, but there are nerves near both veins. I don't want to hurt my patient, so I will avoid these if I can.

In cases where the antecubital region is damaged, or the veins cannot be found, I may use the back of the hand. The foot is rarely used, only as a last resort.

Answer: A bounce, like an elastic tube

A pulse would indicate an artery and I definitely don't want to hit that! Hard structures and hollows in the arm are muscles and ligaments. A vein should bounce like an inflated elastic tube. When I feel for a vein I am actually feeling for the location of the vein, the direction of the vein, and the depth of the vein.

Answer: Sodium hypochlorite

All of these compounds are disinfectants. In the UK isopropanol is the one most commonly used during venipuncture. It sanitizes the surface of the skin and then quickly evaporates. For best results, the alcohol should be wiped in a circular motion to push bacteria away from the puncture site. Chlorhexidine is the skin cleanser that is sometimes known as Hibiscrub and is also used in some mouthwashes.
Sodium hypochlorite is household bleach. Iodine based cleaners are used in more critical applications, such as surgery, but may cause allergic reactions in some people.

Answer: Bruising

Pressure promotes clotting, both at the surface of the skin and in the vein itself. A hematoma, otherwise known as a bruise, will result if the vein reopens and leaks blood under the skin. This is both unattractive and unpleasant for the patient.

Answer: Lean her back in the chair

My patient is fainting. This is a relatively uncommon event, but it is best to be prepared. The major danger is that the patient will fall on the floor, so I will help her to recline. Most chairs used in phlebotomy labs either recline a bit backward or have a bar that goes across a patient's lap.

A few minutes of peace and quiet, reclining comfortably, is all most patients need to recover from a faint. Slapping is definitely not recommended! Although my patient here is female, in my experience, young men are more likely to faint.

Answer: Checking ID

Checking the patient's ID is important, but it does not protect the patient from infection during venipuncture.

Answer: Recap used needles

Most needles made these days have a safety feature that is activated after the needle is used. These features cover the sharp point of the needle, helping to reduce accidental sticks. Recapping used needles is very dangerous and never encouraged.