c. Preparation.
(1)
Cleanse hands thoroughly with soap and water.
(2)
Place an identifying label on the blood collecting tube.
(3) Assemble the sterile needle and syringe. If a vacuum system is used,
screw the needle into the plastic holder. Always leave the cap over the needle when
not in use.
(4) Check to be sure that the syringe works smoothly. The syringe must be
dry to avoid hemolysis of the red cells. The plunger must match the syringe and must
be pushed firmly to the bottom of the cylinder to prevent injection of air into the vein.
This can be fatal.
d. Syringe Procedure.
(1) Place a tourniquet around the patient's arm above the elbow tightly
enough to check venous circulation, but not so tightly as to stop arterial flow. (If latex
tubing is used, place it approximately 2 inches above he proposed venipuncture site).
Form a loop with the longer end and draw the loop under the shorter end so that the
tails of the tubing are turned away from the proposed site (see figure 3-2a).
CAUTION:
Do not allow the tourniquet to remain in place for more than 2 minutes.
Check the pulse at the wrist to make sure that arterial circulation is not
cut off.
Figure 3-2a. Venipuncture procedure: Locate the vein.
(2)
Instruct the patient to make a tight fist.
(3) By inspection and palpation locate the desired vein, determine the
direction of its course, and estimate its size and depth (see figure 3-2a venipuncture
procedure, a through h).
MD0853
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