After anchoring the vein, which of the following actions should the phlebotomist take next?
Clean the site.
Perform the procedure.
Examine the needle.
Reapply the tourniquet.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason:
Cleaning the site is a step that should be completed before anchoring the vein. The site should be cleaned with an antiseptic to reduce the risk of infection. Once the vein is anchored, cleaning the site again could displace the vein and compromise the anchoring.
Choice B reason:
After anchoring the vein, the phlebotomist should perform the procedure, which involves inserting the needle into the vein at the appropriate angle. Once the needle is in place and blood is seen in the tubing, the phlebotomist can proceed to collect the necessary amount of blood into the vacutainers or syringe.
Choice C reason:
Examining the needle is not the next step after anchoring the vein. The needle should be examined before the procedure begins to ensure it is the correct size and gauge for the venipuncture and that there are no defects.
Choice D reason:
Reapplying the tourniquet is not necessary at this point in the procedure. The tourniquet should already be in place to engorge the vein, making it easier to anchor and access. Reapplying it could cause discomfort or even disrupt the already anchored vein.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
For blood donation, a 16- to 18-gauge needle is typically used because it is large enough to allow the rapid flow of blood without causing hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells). The larger gauge needle also helps in minimizing the time the donor has to spend during the donation process. Using a needle that is too small could slow down the blood flow and potentially damage the blood cells, which is not ideal for the recipient of the blood donation.
Choice B Reason:
A 19- to 21-gauge needle is commonly used for routine venipuncture but is not ideal for blood donation. These needles are smaller than the 16- to 18-gauge needles and would not facilitate the quick collection of the volume of blood typically required for a donation. They are more suitable for collecting blood samples for testing rather than for donation purposes.
Choice C Reason:
A 22- to 24-gauge needle is even smaller and is often used for patients with smaller veins, such as children or elderly patients. These needles would not be appropriate for blood donation as they could significantly slow the blood flow and increase the donation time, which could be uncomfortable for the donor.
Choice D Reason:
A 25- to 28-gauge needle is the smallest size commonly used in medical practice and is suitable for patients with extremely small or fragile veins. These needles would be impractical for blood donation due to their small size, which would not allow for the efficient flow of blood required for a donation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Chilling the sample is the correct method for preparing a lactic acid sample for processing and transportation. Lactic acid levels can continue to change after the blood is drawn due to ongoing cellular metabolism. Chilling the sample slows down this metabolism, preserving the accuracy of the lactic acid measurement. The sample should be placed on ice or in a refrigerated environment as soon as possible after collection.
Choice B reason:
While protecting the sample from light is important for some types of specimens, it is not the primary concern for lactic acid samples. The key factor for lactic acid stability is temperature control, not light exposure. Therefore, while it may be beneficial to keep the sample out of direct sunlight, chilling it is the priority to prevent changes in lactic acid levels.
Choice C reason:
Attaching a heat block to the sample is not a recommended method for lactic acid samples. Heat can increase metabolic activity, potentially altering the lactic acid levels in the sample. This would lead to inaccurate results, as the goal is to preserve the state of the sample at the time of collection.
Choice D reason:
Freezing the sample is not typically recommended for immediate processing and transportation of a lactic acid sample. While freezing can preserve certain types of specimens for long-term storage, it is not necessary for short-term transport and can cause issues such as hemolysis, which may interfere with the test results.
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