Question 46

Raise lowered bedrails following procedures.

To prevent inpatient injury, a phlebotomist should raise lowered bedrails following procedures. This action helps ensure the patient's safety by minimizing the risk of falls during and after the blood collection procedure.

A) Flush the IV after collection.

While flushing the IV after collection may be part of managing IV therapy, it does not directly address the prevention of patient injury during the phlebotomy process. This action focuses more on maintaining IV patency rather than ensuring patient safety from falls or other hazards.

B) Move electrical equipment away from the bed.

Although moving electrical equipment away from the bed can contribute to a safer environment, it is not a standard action that a phlebotomist is specifically trained to perform during blood collection. The primary focus should be on actions that directly ensure the patient's safety, such as raising bedrails.

C) Pause the patient's IV pump.

Pausing the IV pump may be necessary during certain procedures, but it does not inherently prevent patient injury. Additionally, it may interfere with the patient's treatment and could lead to complications if not managed properly, thus making it an inadequate choice for injury prevention.

D) Raise lowered bedrails following procedures.

Raising lowered bedrails is a crucial step in ensuring patient safety and preventing falls, particularly in inpatient settings. This action is a standard safety protocol that directly addresses potential injury risks during medical procedures.

Conclusion

Raising lowered bedrails is the definitive action a phlebotomist should take to prevent inpatient injury, as it directly mitigates the risk of falls during and after the procedure. All other options either do not directly relate to injury prevention or could potentially compromise patient safety. Therefore, option D is the most effective measure in this context.