PURPOSES
Perform variety of laboratory tests
Help in the diagnosis
Screen risk factors
Monitor the effects of treatments and
medications
DONTS:
Drawing blood from a patient affected
by stroke and neurological injury.
Drawing blood with extensive scarring
Drawing blood from swollen site
Drawing blood from infected areas
Drawing blood from IV site
DOS
Use the right specimen tube
Try using pediatric tubes when veins are
fragile
Remove tourniquet when the final tube
is to be drawn
Send the specimen to the LAB ASAP.
Serum separator
tube
CIRCUMSTANCES
No accessible veins ( antecubital
fossa)
Small and fragile veins
Order requires more than 4 or 5 tubes
to be drawn
Patient has uncontrolled movement
Patient IV therapy for cancer
Pediatrics
DONTS
Using the center, tip, or side of the
finger
Sticking areas that are thick or callused
Puncturing finger that is swollen,
cyanotic , or scarred
DOS
- use of sterile lancet
- first drop pf blood should be wiped
off( extra fluid from the tissues)
- Gently massage to gain drops of blood
Hematoma formation
Hemoconcentration
Hemolysis
Excessive bleeding
Syncope