Overview
Apply the tourniquet and feel for a straight, firm, round, elastic, non-pulsatile vein.
Potential Sites to Collect Blood From
- Back of the hand
- Cephalic or basilic veins
- Antecubital fossa
Choosing the Right Limb
Do
- Use the nondominant arm if possible
- Try to use the AC fossa where possible
Don't
- Absolutely do not use the same arm as an AV fistula
- Don't use the same arm as a past lymph node dissection or mastectomy
- Don't use a limb affected by stroke
- Don't insert a needle through a burn, oedema, haematoma or infected tissue
- If testing coags, do not take from the same limb as a heparin infusion
- If an infusion is running, either stop the infusion prior to taking the sample or use another limb
Overview
Methods to Assist with Finding a Vein
- Warm the area
- Tap the area
- Ask the patient to pump their fist
- Hang the limb over the bed to improve blood flow
Devices
- Use an ultrasound machine
- Use a vein viewer
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