Over the years I have drawn blood from many older patients, learning tips and techniques along the way in dealing with them and drawing blood from them. tips on starting IV, drawing blood on obese patient What may be warm to you could be hot or even burn someone else. We strive to be the H\@E|E/g#0tW Y3y(N> CA}G)H6GUab/Jqk;gy>>n5%sLWorayo|zEnmn;4d~{;m/E. It worries me to see so many people in this thread and others talk about seeing veins and palpating them only if you can't see one. Get a good night's sleep the night before your donation, eat healthy foods and drink extra liquids. This is the name displayed to others on any playlists or clips you share, Copyright 2023 by Alexander Street, part of Clarivate, Logo of Alexander Street, part of Clarivate. Medical professional also has to be a salesman of the sort. A trick I use sometimes is putting a second tourniquet 2 inches above the first tourniquet. It can really make the veins pop. The other day I saw a Other times, they dont want to pop out or raise for the phlebotomist to be able to draw successfully. Instead of forcefully tapping the vein, it is much better if you start stroking them. I was in a patients home a few days ago and had to call EMS, the patient was obese and her spouse said she had terrible veins. The paramedic immedi Liver function studies. We've looked at programs nationwide and determined these are our top schools. Deliver blood specimens to the laboratory promptly. Standard laboratory studies in the evaluation of obesity should include the following: Fasting lipid panel. Lastly, you will have to mix tubes with an anticoagulant. When you draw their blood, are you ready for them? After that, you need to see if the patient has any medical condition, if he is using drugs or if he is fasting. Blood tests are one of the most important diagnostic techniques available to physicians. I hope you find my posts helpful. In fact, most of the procedures cannot be performed if you dont have a clear head on your shoulders. This will move their fluid and/or tissue out of the way so you can see a good vein. Hemolysis is one of the most common things that interfere with the tests. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. So, the choice of equipment will change from patient to patient. If necessary, apply the tourniquet and examine the median cubital, cephalic, and basilic veins. They will be much easier to spot and throbbing. When the blood draw is complete, gently release the tourniquet. Dispose of contaminated materials and needles in the designated hospital-approved containers. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Tips The forearm is about the last place to look. Place a tourniquet and clean the area for 30 seconds with an alcohol wipe. HlV7WF#J$% r!h {7@)RRXZ4J9(e??@!o]h&Do?Y[L *fIXH^ Below are several tips and tricks that you can use when you are faced with a difficult blood draw. 196 45 Reasons for concern would include numbness, tingling, change of color to blue or white, and extreme pain. If you are going to start an IV in the hand always have the patient pump their fist. If you are drawing from a leg, the extremity needs to be placed over the bed so Blood Collector's ATM: Phlebotomy and the Obese Patient You need to make sure there is no resistance whatsoever. This is also called the practice of venipuncture. So, before attempting to draw blood, look at the 3 areas mentioned above for the best veins to access and draw a blood sample. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. ARe there any tips on how to be more successful? However, there are numerous things that can go wrong while you draw blood. Make sure that no one gets directly exposed to blood. CMAA exam 1 Flashcards | Quizlet 1. Genetically, we dont get to choose our veins. Use a transilluminator to find or confirm vein A transilluminator is a cool way of finding or confirming veins. Water may also be used to perform this technique but not warm water. If you are certain that youve hit a vein and there is still no blood coming from it, this is an indication that you have hit a necrotic vein. If other sites are resulting in no signs of veins then go back and re-examine the sites. Once the vein is located, the individual arm can be returned to horizontal position for blood collection. Below are 5 key areas of importance with tips. These devices are good at locating superficial veins, however, their ability is limited for deeper veins. It is also possible to apply multiple tourniquets. Secondly, they lay most of the time. It can really make the veins pop. Tips for Drawing Blood The hand and lower arm are the best places for transilluminators. There are tips for making veins pop out when taking blood. In fact, based on this, the entire procedure can be harder or easier. Besides proper knowledge, you will also have to have a good head on your shoulders and to make sure you follow these venipuncture guidelines closely. Just my opinion. Before you can start, you need to ask the patient if he has any allergies to drugs. 0000001689 00000 n 0000008644 00000 n Prep the venipuncture site by cleansing the area with an alcohol prep pad for 30 seconds and allow to air dry for 30 seconds. Maybe the number one thing that a person can do is to make sure they are well hydrated. The elderly need special care and attention when doing a blood test. Lower the patients arm for a few minutes before applying the tourniquet. Use alcohol to stimulate the site to make the vein more visible. Fourthly, they are not very active, possibly causing lower blood pressure, hence slower blood flow. 0000005243 00000 n With the foot- some places require a specific order r/t other dx that can increase DVT risk :). If the blood is not delivered in a timely manner it can cause hemolysis and skew the lab results. WebWhen the patient has never had blood drawn The most important factor in controlling the spread of infection is Hand washing before and after the patient Latex sensitivity is a type of Allergic reaction The recommended vein to perform the venipuncture b/c sometimes is more superficial than other veins is called Median cubical vein Don't take aspirin for 2 days before your appointment. The Highest Paying Jobs For Nurses With a BSN, Types of Masters in Nursing Degrees & Specialties, Pros & Cons of Getting a Master's Degree in Nursing, Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant, Highest Paid Nurse Practitioner Specialties, How to Conduct a Nursing Head-to-Toe Assessment, How to Read an Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG), Understanding and Interpreting the Glasgow Coma Scale, Complete List of Common Nursing Certifications. The worst thing you can do is to continue stabbing the patient. Patients This study guide will help you focus your time on what's most important. I was in a patients home a few days ago and had to call EMS, the patient was obese and her spouse said she had terrible veins. Putting some rolled towels underneath or a pillow helps, too (just make sure to put some chux on top of them in case you make a mess!). If a person doesnt have enough experience, he might make a mistake by not removing the tourniquet before the needle. When you encounter such a case, make sure to use blood pressure cuff or try one of the other tricks we shared in our guidelines. 0000029232 00000 n Often, even a loose bind can help a vein to pop. Occasionally, it can also be caused by the longer term IV therapy. Many times, you will have to resort there to draw blood. 0000262624 00000 n In the end, if other medical experts managed to draw blood from a particular vein, you can do the exact same thing. If a patient is reluctant or fearful, it can interfere with drawing blood. In fact, the majority of intensive care units require their nurses to possess these skills. Use either a syringe or the luer adapter with the butterfly system. 8, 9 Even The elderly are prone to bruising when applying the tourniquet. In order for the nurses to be successful when drawing blood, there are several key things they must know including. Excess fat around the waist can put you at an even higher risk for obesity-related health problems, including heart disease and type 2 Someone else may be able to find something that you cannot. It can be done by palpating the vessel or via transillumination with a special light. Make sure that tourniquet is removed before the needle. What may be warm to you could burn the elderly. But when dealing with a particularly disruptive or difficult individual, its imperative to balance both sympathy and professionalism in this matter. Think of an anecdote or a story you would like to share. Sign up to receive the latest nursing news and exclusive offers. Instead, make sure to remove tourniquet first and then remove the needle followed by instant pressure on the insertion point. Once blood is seen in the tubing, connect the vacutainers or use a syringe to drawback. Nowadays, there is equipment that can help us locate the vein. Ask the individual to flex his or her arm a bit. Pump the fists! The device may be limited in that instance. The rightvein should feel somewhat bouncy as you press on it. Blood pressure cuff is a great method of extracting blood in case that the veins are not visible enough. Increased body mass can also lead to issues during venipuncture. It is crucial to use needle and cannula that is smaller than the patients vein. If you allow the visible stress or discomfort of your patient to permeate your own mentality, then youre far more likely to make a mistake or miss the vein. 0000007172 00000 n In most cases, simply following best practices and knowing how to find a difficult vein is the best way to carry out a successful draw. For example, the veins of a middle-aged man will likely be easier to find than that of a woman, unless shes extremely active. go-to source for nursing news, trending topics, and educational resources. This will give you more stability and it will relax you. All rights reserved. Geriatric Patients: Best Tips For Drawing Blood - Phlebotomist If you're drawing blood cultures, be sure to follow the policy and procedure at your facility. You can do that by gently massaging the arm, from the wrist to the elbow. In a way, you have to entertain a person during phlebotomy. Then, deflate blood pressure cuff and apply tourniquet. For example, Red Cross Blood has pointed out that many individuals will have had blood drawn before and may be able to point out the vein that was used in that procedure.2 If this is the case, you can streamline the process of locating the proper vein to draw from. Furthermore, they protect the nurse or healthcare professional from a potential needle stick. If you can find a vein with that desirable characteristic, youll know that youve discovered a usable vein, even if its not prominent. Big ppl are not bad to stick at all, especially the ones with edema. My trick is to press on their hand or arm with both of my thumbs. Put ur finge You are able to confuse the nerves before the insertion. This, in turn, can cause increases in your blood pressure. Commercial heat-packs are best for this technique as you can choose the temperature you want. However, you will need a doctors permission for this. On top of that, there are a lot of individuals who fear (or dislike) going to a doctor. Follow your institutional guidelines or polices or get advice from qualified personnel. Alternate arms if youve given blood Tips for drawing blood successfully | Carrington College 0000011603 00000 n It worries me to see so many people in this thread and others talk about seeing veins and palpating them only if you can't see one. Venous access s You want to lessen the number of sticks you give to the elderly. Eat a healthy meal, avoiding fatty foods like hamburgers, fries or ice cream. As the body ages, the skin becomes thinner and blood vessels become weaker. Please wait while we send your information. Being able to find a usable vein quickly is crucial, and something you learn throughout your training. 0000001196 00000 n I had one not too long ago where I had to do a 1 hour glucose tolerance test and was having trouble finding a vein. The three most commonly used veins for drawing blood are the median cubital, the cephalic, and the basilic veins.
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