8. During a venipuncture, the needle is in the vein and blood flow is established. When the second tube is attached, blood flow stops. Which of the following actions shou phlebotomist take?
Answer: D
Activate a new evacuated tube.
When blood flow stops after attaching the second tube during a venipuncture, the phlebotomist should activate a new evacuated tube to ensure that blood can continue to flow into the collection system, allowing for proper sample collection without compromising the procedure.
A) Withdraw the needle completely.
Withdrawing the needle completely is not an appropriate action in this scenario. It could lead to unnecessary discomfort for the patient and might disrupt the vein, making it more difficult to draw blood from the same site or requiring a new site for venipuncture.
B) Rotate the bevel of the needle.
Rotating the bevel of the needle is not a recommended procedure in this case. This action does not address the issue of blood flow stopping upon tube attachment and may cause further complications such as vein irritation or additional trauma to the vein.
C) Increase tourniquet pressure.
Increasing tourniquet pressure is not advisable once blood flow has been established and then stops. This could lead to discomfort for the patient and may also result in hemoconcentration, which could affect the quality of the blood sample.
D) Activate a new evacuated tube.
Activating a new evacuated tube is the correct action to take. This allows the phlebotomist to create a vacuum for blood collection, which can help restore blood flow and complete the sample collection process effectively.
Conclusion
The action of activating a new evacuated tube is crucial for successfully resuming blood flow during venipuncture after a tube has been attached. All other options either complicate the situation or could lead to patient discomfort, making D the most effective and appropriate response in this context.