Question

Case study 4.2 Andy is working second shift, and it is almost time for him to go home. He goes into a patient's room to perform a routine venipuncture for a chemistry profile, which requires a green top. Andy properly identifies the patient and assembles all the necessary equipment. Next, he inspects both arms and thinks he has a good vein within the antecubital area of the right arm. He applies the tourniquet and inserts the needle into the skin and draws blood into a green-top tube. As soon as blood flows into the tube, Andy releases the tourniquet and removes the needle once the tube is full. He applies pressure to the site with a gauze pad, mixes the tube, and labels the tube as required by the laboratory. 1. What adverse outcome is the most probable as a result of this venipuncture procedure? a. Infection b. incorrect results c. Hematoma d. Blood loss 2. A second error occurred during this procedure. What was it? a. Patient was subjected to unnecessary pain. b. Phlebotomist did not wear gloves. c. The wrong anticoagulant tube was drawn. d. The tourniquet was removed prematurely. Critical Thinking Group Discussion Questions 1. How could the patient have had a better experience? 2. How can the errors that occured in this case be avoided in the future? Note: Narrative answers are posted on the instructor EVOLVE website.

Answer 1

1. The adverse effects of venepuncture are haemoconcentration, oedema, infection etc.

2. Phlebotomist didn't wear gloves.

1. The proper way of blood draw would have been possible, if there was infection prevention strategies been adopted like wearing the gloves etc.

2. The error occurred is chance of contamination