19/04/2024
Taking blood for a test involves several steps:
1. **Prepare Equipment:** Gather necessary items like a sterile needle, syringe or vacutainer, alcohol swab, tourniquet, cotton balls, and adhesive bandages.
2. **Prepare Patient:** Explain the procedure, ensure the patient is comfortable, and choose a suitable site for drawing blood (typically inside elbow, back of the hand, or top of the forearm).
3. **Clean the Site:** Disinfect the chosen site with an alcohol swab and allow it to dry completely to prevent contamination.
4. **Apply Tourniquet:** Use a tourniquet to make the veins more visible and easier to access. It should be tight enough to slow down blood flow but not so tight that it causes discomfort.
5. **Insert Needle:** Hold the patient's arm securely and insert the needle swiftly and at the correct angle into the vein. For a vacutainer, attach the tube and allow it to fill with blood. For a syringe, pull back gently on the plunger to draw blood.
6. **Collect Sample:** Fill the required number of tubes or syringes with the appropriate amount of blood needed for the test.
7. **Remove Needle:** Once the sample is collected, remove the needle carefully and apply pressure to the puncture site with a cotton ball to stop bleeding.
8. **Dispose of Sharps:** Safely dispose of the needle in a puncture-resistant container.
9. **Label Samples:** Label each tube or syringe with patient information and the type of test being conducted.
10. **Send to Lab:** Transport the samples to the laboratory for analysis, ensuring proper storage and handling to maintain sample integrity.
11. **Document Procedure:** Document the procedure in the patient's medical records, noting any complications or observations.
12. **Provide Post-Procedure Care:** Advise the patient to apply pressure to the puncture site for a few minutes and to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity with the arm for a short period.
