g. Band-aid.
h. Chux (to protect the bed)
i.
Laboratory request form.
2-18. PROCEDURE FOR BLOOD CULTURES
a. Explain the procedure and the reason for doing the procedure to the patient.
b. Gather all supplies and equipment and bring to the patient's bedside.
c. Assist the patient to a comfortable position. If the patient is uncooperative or
disoriented, get someone to help you.
d. Carefully wash your hands.
e. Clean the top of both culture bottles with betadine solution.
f. Put the needle on the syringe.
g. Apply the tourniquet.
h. Put on the gloves and clean the drawing site with betadine solution.
i. Draw at least 10 cc of blood from the patient (5 cc is needed for each bottle).
j.
Loosen the tourniquet.
k. Remove the syringe and needle while applying pressure to the venipuncture
site with the cotton ball or gauze pad. Have the patient apply pressure to the site.
l. Replace the needle on the syringe with another sterile needle.
m. Inject 5 cc of blood into the anaerobic bottle; do not allow air to enter the
bottle.
n. Replace the needle on the syringe with another sterile needle.
o. Inject 5 cc of blood into the aerobic bottle and while the needle is still in the
bottle, disconnect it from the syringe so that air enters the aerobic bottle.
p. Gently mix the blood with the solution in both bottles.
MD0906
2-9