PMLS-2 LABORATORY ACTIVITY

Exercise 1: Requisition and Blood Specimen Label

INSTRUCTIONS: You correctly identified and collected a blood specimen from an inpatient at 0600 hours using the
following requisition. Fill out the label shown on the above tube for this patient. Color the tube stopper the correct color
for the test that was collected.

EXERCISE 2: TOURNIQUET RATIONALE

Answer the following questions in the space provided.

1. What does a tourniquet do and why is it needed in venipuncture procedures?

2. Why is a tourniquet placed 3 to 4 inches above the intended venipuncture site?

3. Where is the tourniquet placed in drawing blood from a hand vein?

4. What happens if too much tension is applied in fastening a tourniquet?

5. What is the purpose of the loop created during tourniquet application?

6. Why is it important to release the tourniquet within 1 minute of application?

EXERCISE 3: SKILLS DRILL HIGHLIGHTS OF NEEDLE-AND-SYRINGE VENIPUNCTURE

PROCEDURE: The following are highlights from the needle-and-syringe venipuncture procedure. Fill in the blanks with
the missing information.
1. Prepare Equipment: It is easier to select (A) ___________________ equipment after the (B) ____________________
has been chosen. Preparing it while the site is (C) ________________________________ saves time.
2. Uncap and Inspect Needle: Hold the syringe in your dominant hand as you would an (A) ______________________.
Place your (B) _____________________________ on top near the needle end and fingers underneath. Uncap and (C) the
needle for defects and discard it if flawed.
3. Establish Blood Flow: Establishment of blood flow is normally indicated by (A) ______________________ in the
(B) ___________________________ of the syringe. In some cases blood will not flow until the syringe
(C)________________ is (D) _________________________.
4. Fill Syringe: Venous blood will not automatically (A)_________________________a syringe. It must be filled by slowly
pulling back on the (B)_____________________________________ with your free hand. Steady the syringe as you
would an (C)________________________during routine venipuncture.
5. Discard Needle: The needle must be removed and discarded in the sharps container so that a (A)_____________ for
(B)__________________ the tubes can be (C)__________________________ to the syringe. A
(D)__________________________ greatly reduces the chance of accidental (E)_____________________________and
confines any (F)___________________________or spraying that may be generated as the tube is removed.