Nurses and phlebotomists (blood drawing officers) draw blood to perform various medical tests. This article will teach you how to draw blood from patients like professionals.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Preparation for Drawing Blood
Step 1. Observe any precautions on the patient
Pay attention to the signs on the back of the patient's bed or on the patient's table. Pay attention to the isolation restrictions, and make sure, whether the blood test requires fasting, or the patient has fasted for the correct duration.
Step 2. Introduce yourself to your patient
Explain what you will do when you draw blood.
Step 3. Wash and clean your hands
Put on clean gloves.
Step 4. Review the patient order list
- Check that the requisition is stamped with the patient's name, medical record number and date of birth.
- Make sure that the requisition and label exactly match the patient's identity.
- Confirm the patient's identity from the bracelet worn or by asking the patient's name and place of birth.
Step 5. Gather the equipment you will need
Equipment you must have: blood collection tube, tourniquet, cotton swab, adhesive medical bandage or bandage, and alcohol-containing wipes. Make sure your blood tubes and blood culture bottles are not expired.
Step 6. Select the appropriate needle
The type of needle you choose will depend on your age, physical characteristics and the amount of blood you are going to draw from the patient.
Method 2 of 4: Find the Veins
Step 1. Sit the patient in a chair
The chair must have armrests to support the patient's arms but must not have wheels. Ensure that the patient's elbow is not bent. If the patient is lying down, place a pillow under the patient's arm for additional support.
Step 2. Decide which arm you will draw blood from or let your patient decide
Tie the tourniquet around the patient's arm about 7.5 cm to 10 cm above where you will insert the needle into the patient's vein.
Step 3. Ask the patient to make a fist
Avoid asking the patient to pump his fist.
Step 4. Trace the patient's veins with your index finger
Press the veins with your index finger to make them dilate.
Step 5. Sterilize the area you are going to puncture with an alcoholic tissue
Use circular motions, and avoid rubbing the tissue over the same area of skin twice.
Step 6. Allow the sterilized area to dry for 30 seconds so that the patient does not feel a sting when the needle is inserted
Method 3 of 4: Perform Blood Draw
Step 1. Check the needle for any defects
The tip of the needle should not have obstructions or anything caught that could restrict blood flow.
Step 2. Insert the needle into the holder
Use the needle shroud to secure the needle in the holder.
Step 3. Press each tube containing the additive to remove the additive from the tube wall
Step 4. Insert the blood collection tube into the holder
Avoid pushing the tube through the grooved line on the needle holder as the vacuum may escape.
Step 5. Grasp your patient's arm
Your thumb should pull the skin taut about 2.5cm to 5cm below the puncture site. Make sure the patient's arm is pointing slightly down to avoid reflux (blood leaves the tube and back into the vein).
Step 6. Align the needle with the vein
Make sure you point the angled needle in an upward direction.
Step 7. Insert the needle into the vein
Push the blood collection tube against its seat until the base of the needle hilt penetrates the stopper in the tube. Make sure the tube is under the puncture site.
Step 8. Let the tube fill
Open and remove the tourniquet as soon as there is sufficient blood flow filling the tube.
Step 9. Remove the tube from the holder when the blood flow stops
Mix the contents if the tube contains additives by inverting the tube 5 to 8 times. Do not be too hard to shake the tube.
Step 10. Fill in the remaining jars until you complete the requisition
Step 11. Ask the patient to open his arms
Glue a piece of gauze over the puncture site.
Step 12. Lift the needle
Place gauze over the puncture site and give it a gentle massage to stop the bleeding.
Method 4 of 4: Stop the Blood Flow and Clean the Puncture Site
Step 1. Activate the needle safety feature and dispose of the needle in a hardened container
Step 2. Glue the gauze to the puncture site with a tape after the bleeding stops
Tell the patient to leave the gauze on for at least 15 minutes.
Step 3. Label the tube according to the patient data
Cool the blood sample if necessary.
Step 4. Dispose of all trash and tidy up your equipment
Wipe the armrest with an anti-bacterial tissue.
Tips
- Some patients feel nauseous when their blood is drawn. Instruct the patient not to look when you insert the needle. Take precautions if your patient feels dizzy or feels like passing out. Do not let the patient leave until he has fully recovered.
- If you are taking blood from a young child, encourage the child to sit on the parent's lap to make him feel comfortable.
- You can advise the patient to hold on to something with the other hand to shift their focus to the needle being inserted into their vein.
- Make sure you don't wear artificial nails when you draw blood. The length of your natural nails should be no more than 3 mm.
Warning
- Do not leave the tourniquet on the patient's arm for more than 1 minute.
- Follow these precautions if your equipment gets dirty with blood or if you or your patient gets stuck with a contaminated needle.
- Never try to draw blood more than twice. If you are unable to complete the procedure, contact a nurse.
- Call your doctor or nurse if you are unable to stop the bleeding at the puncture site.
