Pediatric Blood Collection Flashcards
8 cards from real Phlebotomy Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 8 Pediatric Blood Collection flashcards as text
What is the maximum recommended blood volume to collect from a neonate weighing 3 kg in a single day?
Answer: 5–10 mL
For neonates, blood volume is approximately 85–90 mL/kg; daily blood draws should not exceed 5–10% of total blood volume to avoid iatrogenic anemia.
Which vein is most commonly used for venipuncture in infants and toddlers under 2 years of age?
Answer: Dorsal hand veins or scalp veins
Dorsal hand veins and (in neonates) scalp veins are commonly used for pediatric IV access and blood collection when antecubital veins are inadequate or inaccessible.
A phlebotomist is preparing to draw blood from a 5-year-old child. Which communication strategy is MOST effective?
Answer: Use age-appropriate language, explain what they will feel, and allow them control (e.g., which arm)
Age-appropriate, honest explanation combined with giving the child choices reduces anxiety and improves cooperation during pediatric blood collection.
Which needle gauge is most appropriate for venipuncture in a pediatric patient to minimize pain and hemolysis?
Answer: 23–25 gauge
23–25 gauge needles are appropriate for pediatric venipuncture, providing adequate blood flow while minimizing pain, trauma, and hemolysis from high shear forces.
A newborn requires a blood glucose test and bilirubin level. Which collection method is preferred?
Answer: Heelstick into micro-collection tubes for both tests
For newborns, heelstick into appropriate Microtainer tubes is the preferred method for small-volume tests like glucose and bilirubin, avoiding the risks of venipuncture.
What special consideration is required when collecting blood from a pediatric patient's hand vein using a butterfly needle?
Answer: A child-sized tourniquet or alternative (blood pressure cuff) should be used and the hand secured
A properly sized tourniquet ensures adequate venous filling without compromising arterial flow or causing trauma; the hand must be secured to prevent movement during collection.
For a school-age child (7–10 years), which distraction technique during phlebotomy is MOST evidence-supported for reducing pain perception?
Answer: Active distraction (video games, counting, engaging conversation)
Active distraction (engaging the child's attention with interactive activities) has strong evidence for reducing pain perception and anxiety during pediatric procedures.
Which laboratory test in a newborn is MOST likely to yield unreliable results from a heelstick specimen compared to a venous sample?
Answer: Neonatal blood culture
Blood cultures should never be collected via heelstick because the skin's normal flora can contaminate the specimen, leading to false-positive cultures and inappropriate antibiotic treatment.