Venipuncture Procedure: Risks, Steps and Considerations

This report provides a comprehensive overview of venipuncture, a crucial medical procedure for intravenous access, blood sampling, and medication administration. It details the three main veins used: the Median cubital, Cephalic, and Basilic veins, with emphasis on the Median cubital vein due to its accessibility. The report outlines the stepwise procedure, including patient preparation, vein selection, tourniquet application, site disinfection, and needle insertion techniques. It also highlights essential precautions and contraindications, such as avoiding venipuncture in areas with mastectomy, blood transfusions, scars, or above IV cannulas. Furthermore, the report discusses potential complications like bruising, hematoma, and rare but serious reactions like cellulitis or phlebitis, emphasizing the importance of proper medication and a stepwise approach. The report references key sources such as the WHO and BD guidelines to support its information, underscoring its significance in healthcare practice and diagnostic procedures.

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Running head: Venipuncture
VENIPUNCTURE

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Venipuncture
Venipuncture refers to the process of puncturing the vein in order to get intravenous
access for the purpose of therapy and medication or for blood sampling and donation.
The three main veins used for this purpose are the Median cubital vein, Cephalic vein
and the Basilic vein. Median cubital vein is used most commonly as it is superficial,
easy to access as it lies between the Cephalic and Basilic vein. In order to make the
location of the vein easier to spot, the patient can be asked to squeeze a rubber ball or
repeatedly open and close their hands to make the vein easier to spot (Bd, 2015).
It is necessary to remember that the venipuncture is a minor invasive medical procedure
and may have severe complications even if only a small amount of blood is drawn.
Complications like bruising and hematoma were fairly common. However, complications
like diaphoresis with hypotension and syncope can also arise. Critical local reactions
such as cellulitis or phlebitis happen only in rare cases (Who, 2017). Even serious
complication are unlikely to arises, it is preferable for the medical personnel to be
equipped with proper medication when he performs the procedure.
The procedure needs to be performed in a stepwise manner to ensure that the chances
of complications are negated. Ensure that all the necessary supplies and medications
are handy. The first step involves identifying the donors names and ensuring that the
blood collection container and the bag are labelled properly so that the specimens do
not mix at a later period. Select the vein carefully that is large, firm from an area of the
skin that does not have any lesions or scars (Guan, Zhang, Liang & Wang, 2017). Use a
tourniquet 3-4 inches above the site in order to make the vein more conspicuous and
the patient can open and close their hands. Once the vein is identified the toniquet will
be removed. Before injecting the needle, the site needs to be disinfected using an
alcohol solution and is allowed to dry. In case it appears to be dirty, the patient should
be advised to wash it. Assemble the needle and perform the venipuncture by carefully
inserting the tip of the needle at an angle of 45 degree. In case the skin near the area is
wrinkly, then use thumb to draw the skin tight 1-2 inches below the area. Apply mild
pressure on the area and draw out the needle. Continue applying pressure or use a
bandage to stop bleeding.
Some important facts need to be considered before performing the procedure.
Venipuncture should not be performed on the arm on the side where mastectomy had
been performed, arm on which blood is being transfused, on scarred area and sites
above the IV cannula (Who, 2017).
The procedure is of importance as it is used for obtaining blood for diagnostic purposes,
monitoring the levels of various components, to administer medication or nutrition, to
remove blood in case of excess and to store it for later use.

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Venipuncture
References
Bd, (2015), Best sites for Venipuncture, Retrieved
from:https://www.bd.com/documents/guides/quick-guides/PAS_BC_Best-
venipuncture-sites-Vacutainer-blood-collection-system_QG_EN.pdf
Guan, S., Zhang, K., Liang, X., & Wang, Y. (2017). Prevention of pinch-off syndrome in
postoperative complications of totally implantable central venous access ports.
International Journal of Surgery, 44(3), 182-184.
Who, (2017), Venipuncture, Retrieved
from:https://www.who.int/diagnostics_laboratory/documents/guidance/
venipuncture.pdf?ua=1
Who, (2017), WHO guidelines on drawing blood, Retrieved
from:https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44294/9789241599221_eng
.pdf;jsessionid=4E891DC61AC55DDDCDC180A8E85DA722?sequence=1