What is the maximum acceptable length of time a tourniquet should be left on a patient's arm during venipuncture to prevent hemolysis or hemoconcentration?
Understand the Problem
The question asks about the maximum recommended time a tourniquet can be left on a patient's arm during venipuncture to avoid complications like hemolysis or hemoconcentration. This is a question related to medical procedures and best practices.
Answer
1-2 minutes
The maximum acceptable length of time a tourniquet should be left on a patient's arm during venipuncture is 1-2 minutes. Leaving it on longer than this can cause hemoconcentration or hemolysis, which affects the accuracy of lab results.
Answer for screen readers
The maximum acceptable length of time a tourniquet should be left on a patient's arm during venipuncture is 1-2 minutes. Leaving it on longer than this can cause hemoconcentration or hemolysis, which affects the accuracy of lab results.
More Information
The ideal tourniquet time is often quoted as 1 minute to avoid hemoconcentration. Some sources state the maximum time as 2 minutes but it should be applied for the shortest time possible.
Tips
A common mistake is to leave the tourniquet on for too long while preparing for venipuncture. Ensure all equipment is ready before applying the tourniquet.
Sources
- Venipuncture, Inpatient - jdos.nicholsinstitute.com
- [PDF] Venipuncture Procedure - testmenu.com
- A prospective study of causes of haemolysis during venepuncture - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information
