Venipuncture test
| Venipuncture factor | Needle gauge | Needle type | Toruniquet application | Toruniquet application |
| Lab parameter | 23 G vs. 21 G | Winged vs. regular | 1 minute | 3 minute |
| Clinical chemistry | negligible | negligible | Albumin (+1.58%; ±1.3%) Calcium (+1.6%; ... | ALT (+15.7%; ±12.0%) Albumin (+8.6%; ±1. ... |
| Platelets and coagulation | negligible | negligible | negligible | PT/INR (-3.1%; ±2.0%) Fibrinogen (+10.1% ... |
| Haematology | n.a. | negligible | WBC (-6.7%; ±5.6%) RBC (+3.6%; ±1.7%) Ha ... | WBC (-10.1%; ±5.6%) RBC (+7.4%; ±1.7%) H ... |
Which is the proper order of vein selection for venipuncture?
The veins most often used for venipuncture are located in the antecubital area. Typically the order of choice in vein selection is as follows: 1. cubital vein: This vein is usually the largest and fullest vein and is best anchored by the surrounding musculature of the arm. 2. cephalic vein: This vein is next largest and next better anchored
Which vein is most commonly used for venipuncture?
Veins Used in Phlebotomy
- Antecubital Fossa. The antecubital fossa is the area of the arm near the elbow. ...
- Three Primary Veins. There are three veins most commonly used in venipuncture, or phlebotomy. ...
- Median Cubital. ...
- Other Antecubital Veins. ...
- Hand Veins. ...
- Other Veins. ...
Which veins are commonly used for venipuncture?
What is the most common venipuncture site?
- Median Cubital Vein. The most commonly used site for a venipuncture is at the bend of the elbow, also called the antecubital fossa.
- Cephalic Vein.
- Basilic Vein.
- Dorsal Metacarpal Veins.
How to find a difficult vein for venipuncture?
- Place hot, moist towels over your arms for 10 minutes or so prior to a stick in order to plump up the veins. ...
- If you seriously have HORRIBLE veins and it really never works, see if the nurse would be willing/able to use a child-size butterfly needle on you, even if you’re an ...
- Take deep breaths. ...
- Meditate before going to the clinic. ...
Which veins should not be used for venipuncture?
What Areas Should You Avoid Drawing From? While hand veins may be utilized for blood draws and intravenous infusions, veins in the feet and legs should be avoided for adults. Drawing from these sites can cause blood clotting and hemostasis.
Why basilic vein is the last choice for venipuncture?
While you can usually see it clearly, it's considered a last resort in medical procedures. That's because it's close to important structures of the body that can potentially be injured and it's less stable than the other two major veins in the arms.
Is basilic vein good for venipuncture?
The basilic vein, median cubital vein, and cephalic vein are superficial veins that are frequently selected for venipuncture at the cubital fossa because of its characteristics: a thick lumen and an easily visible confirmation.
Where is the most common site for venipuncture?
antecubitalThe most common site of venipuncture is the upper arm. The present study macroscopically and anatomically ascertained positional relationships between cutaneous nerves and veins in the cubital (aka antecubital) fossa in many cadaveric dissections to determine the risk of peripheral nerve injury during venipuncture.
What vein is used for venipuncture?
The basilic vein is also commonly used for a venipuncture in the forearm rather than the upper arm 1. This is because halfway up the upper arm, the vein turns inwards to become a deep vein. Deep veins run along arteries and present a risk for puncture to the artery.
Where is the most commonly used site for venipuncture?
Median Cubital Vein. The most commonly used site for a venipuncture is at the bend of the elbow, also called the antecubital fossa 1. Several veins in the antecubital fossa provide excellent access.
What is venipuncture site?
Venipuncture is a procedure involving the puncture of a vein for the purposes of collecting blood or administering intravenous (IV) therapy and IV drugs 1. A phlebotomist or other health care provider will apply a tourniquet above the intended area of the venipuncture. When the veins become engorged for easier ...
What veins run down the middle of the hand?
The veins that run down the middle of the hand, called dorsal metacarpal veins, can also be used for intravenous infusions as well as for drawing blood if the antecubital vein isn't accessible. Hand veins aren't as large as the veins in the forearm and antecubital fossa.
Where is the cephalic vein located?
The cephalic vein runs superficially under the skin along the outer side of the upper and lower arm , eventually dipping under the shoulder to join the axillary vein in the armpit. This is another acceptable venipuncture site if scarring is present in the antecubital space from previous venipunctures or if the antecubital veins are not palpable. The cephalic vein is more commonly accessed on the forearm rather than the upper arm. You can also access the cephalic sign in the inside of the wrist as it runs down to the thumb.
What veins do phlebotomists use?
If none of these veins work, then the phlebotomists use the hand veins. Other draw sites, particularly below the waist, are rarely used.
What is the most common vein for phlebotomy?
Median Cubital Vein. The median cubital vein , also known as the antecubital vein, is the most common vein for phlebotomy. Located in the antecubital fossa, the median cubital vein is a well anchored, stable vein that rarely rolls during venipuncture.
Why is the median cubital vein used?
The median cubital vein is used the most for its accessibility. It is large and near the skin’s surface, making it easier for phlebotomists to see before anchoring the vein. The median cubital creates less bruising and pain than other draw sites.
What veins are used for intravenous infusion?
The dorsal venous network is the next most common vein site for phlebotomists. Dorsal hand veins are often utilized for intravenous infusions but are viable options for blood draw sites. However, drawing blood from the hand is affiliated with higher levels of pain and less control.
What is a phlebotomy vein?
Phlebotomy is the practice of drawing blood from patients to gather data about their health. As a phlebotomist, it is critical to know which vein sites offer stable flows for blood draws. There are three phlebotomy vein sites located in the arm most utilized by medical professionals and three additional draw sites that are last resorts.
Where is the basilic vein located?
Also found in the antecubital fossa, the basilic vein serves as a last resort for blood draws. It is not as close to the skin surface as the median cubital and cephalic veins, which poses a greater risk of damage to the median nerve and brachial artery. While the median cubital, cephalic, and basilic veins are the most popular draw sites ...
Where is the cephalic vein?
This vein can be found along the upper arm to the thumb, but it is commonly drawn from the forearm or antecubital fossa area. Also found in the antecubital fossa, the basilic vein serves as a last resort for blood draws.
Where are the veins in phlebotomy?
There are three veins most commonly used in venipuncture, or phlebotomy. They are the cephalic, median cubital, and basilic veins. These three veins are found in the antecubital area. The cephalic vein is found on the lateral, or outside, of the arm. The median cubital vein, the preferred one to use, is found close to the center, and the basilic vein is located on the inner, or medial part of the antecubital area.
What veins are used for medial cubital veins?
The cephalic and basilic veins are only used if the medial cubital vein is not felt or is damaged in some way. The cephalic vein is the second choice usually, since it is fairly well anchored. This is often the only vein that can be felt in patients who are obese. The basilic vein is kept as a last choice option. It rolls more easily and runs directly over a nerve and an artery, making it a more dangerous and painful area to use.
What is a phlebotomy?
Share on Facebook. Phlebotomy is the act of taking a blood sample from the vein of a patient for laboratory examination and analysis. It is a critical part of the health care world. Phlebotomists are specially trained in this technique and are able to procure blood from several different veins in the body. Blood is usually drawn using the veins of ...
Can veins move during phlebotomy?
Veins can move, or roll, which makes it more difficult to perform phlebotomy. The median cubital is typically well anchored, which makes it less likely that the patient will feel pain during phlebotomy, or bruise afterwards.
Can you use antecubital veins in your hand?
They also may not be able to be used due to intravenous placement or injury. Hand veins may be used if it is not possible to use the antecubital veins. Veins of the hand and wrist are usually close to the surface, but they are prone to movement and rolling. Using these veins tends to be more painful for the patient, since there are nerves running through the hand as well. If using these veins, it is important to anchor the vein with your hand, holding it in place, when you are drawing the blood.
What gauge needles are used for phlebotomy?
This difference is critical to remember, as there is no uniform gauge size for all phlebotomist patients. Each needle varies in their blood flow rate and compatibility with specific vein types. Although 21, 22, and 23 gauge needles are three of the most common needles, a broad knowledge of all needle types is beneficial to accommodate ...
What is the color of the ETS needle?
This needle can be assembled with the more common multi-sample needle ETS system and tends to have a black color code covering.
What is 21 gauge needle?
21 Gauge Needles. 21g needles are the most common gauge of needles used for routine blood draws and venipuncture. The gauge is small enough in which it does not cause any significant pain or discomfort during use. For most patients, their veins are of a size and stability that is best suited for the 21g needle.
How many hours does a phlebotomy technician take?
Through this course, our students gain over 80 hours of in-classroom knowledge and 40-120 hours at an externship site to enhance their phlebotomy skills.
Is 22g needle thinner than 21g?
Unlike standard measurement systems, there is an inverse relationship for the gauge numbers and the size of needles. As the gauge number increases, the needle width gets narrower. For example, a 22g needle is thinner than a 21g. This difference is critical to remember, as there is no uniform gauge size for all phlebotomist patients.
Can you use a 21g needle?
In some circumstances, however, it may be required to use a smaller size needle than 21g.
Do butterfly needles work on adult veins?
Some adult veins, however, do require the use of a butterfly. 23g needles are part of a winged infusion system (butterfly), not the multi-sample needle ETS system. Needles smaller than a 23g might hemolyze the red blood cells, and the sample could not be processed for testing.
