Phlebotomy Procedures Flashcards

A patient's veins are difficult to locate. Which technique can help make veins more visible before venipuncture?

Answer: Warming the site with a warm compress

Applying a warm compress promotes vasodilation, which increases blood flow and makes veins easier to palpate and visualize.

In the order of draw using evacuated tubes, which tube is collected THIRD?

Answer: Gold/SST (clot activator)

After blood culture and light blue tubes, the gold/SST tube is collected third in the standard order of draw.

Which of the following is a sign of arterial rather than venous puncture during a blood draw?

Answer: Pulsating blood flow

Arterial blood is under higher pressure and will pulsate into the tube, unlike venous blood which flows steadily.

What is the maximum time a tourniquet should remain applied before venipuncture to avoid hemoconcentration?

Answer: 1 minute

A tourniquet should not remain in place for more than 1 minute to prevent hemoconcentration and falsely elevated analyte results.

A specimen is hemolyzed upon inspection. Which analyte result is MOST likely to be falsely elevated?

Answer: Potassium

Potassium is highly concentrated inside red blood cells, so hemolysis releases intracellular potassium and falsely elevates serum potassium levels.

Which gauge needle is most commonly used for routine adult venipuncture?

Answer: 21 gauge

A 21-gauge needle is the standard for routine adult venipuncture, balancing patient comfort with adequate blood flow.

After a successful blood draw, how long should a patient be instructed to apply pressure to the venipuncture site?

Answer: 1–2 minutes

Applying pressure for 1–2 minutes is typically sufficient to achieve hemostasis at a venipuncture site in most patients.