Clinical Chemistry Lecture 1: Blood Collection Preparation

Before blood collection, it is important to ______ or disinfect his or her hands.

The tourniquet should be applied approximately 3-5 inches above the ______ fossa.

After tourniquet application, the patient should clench ______.

It is important to choose veins that are ______ and accessible.

A slight rotation of the arm may help to better expose a ______ that may otherwise be hidden.

To distend veins, have the patient 'pump' the ______ 3 times.

Don't overdue it because over-pumping can create ______

Have the patient dangle arm below the heart level for 1-3 minutes. Warm the area with a hot pack or warm, moist cloth heated to approximately ______

If all else fails, consult another technician for their opinion and/or ______

4 TYPE OF VEIN 1.Median cubital vein - first choice, well supported, least apt to ______

Cephalic vein - ______

Basilic vein - third choice, often the most prominent vein, but it tends to ______ easily and makes venipuncture difficult

This vein is located in the ______ fossa. (the area of the arm in front of the elbow)

Well anchored vein, usually large and ______

The cephalic vein may lie close to the surface. A low angle of needle insertion must be used to avoid possible ______ or blood forming a drop at the puncture site. (15°)

After selecting a vein, clean the puncture site with a cotton ball saturated with 70% isopropyl alcohol or prepackage alcohol swabs. Rub the alcohol swab in a circular motion moving outward from the site Use enough pressure to remove all perspiration and dirt from the puncture site. Discreetly look at the swab when finished, if it appears excessively dirty repeat the cleansing process with a fresh alcohol swab. After cleansing do not touch the site, if the vein must be repalpated the area must be cleansed again. Some experts allow cleansing of the index finger before repalpating but this technique is ______