Experiment No.

2
Venipuncture Method of Blood Collection

The most common method of obtaining blood for laboratory examinations is by venipuncture.
The venipuncture is a quick way to obtain a large sample of blood on which many different
analyses can be performed. In a venipuncture, also called phlebotomy, the blood is taken directly
from a superficial vein. The vein is punctured with hypodermic needle and blood is collected in a
syringe or tube.
The venipuncture is a safe procedure when performed correctly by a skilled worker. The
procedure must be performed with care. Every effort should be made to preserve the condition of
the vein. Much observation and practice is required to become skilled and self-confident in the
art of venipuncture.

Objectives

• To be able to perform venipuncture

• Identify the sites for venipuncture
• To collect blood specimen from a venipuncture

Materials

• Syringe method
• Needle
• Syringe
• Needle 20 gauge
• 70% alcohol
• Cotton balls
• Tourniquet

• Evacuated tube system

• Evacuated tube
• Adaptor
• Vacutainer needle
• Tourniquet
• 70% alcohol

Procedure
Illustrate the procedure (for both syringe and vacutainer method)

• Selecting the proper equipment

Syringe method Evacuated tube method
• Preparing the patient for venipuncture

• Apply the torniquet

• Selecting the venipuncture site

• Preparing the venipuncture site

• Performing the venipuncture

• Insertion of needle
• Extraction of blood
• Releasing of tourniquet
• Releasing of needle
• Application of pressure

Syringe method
Evacuated Tube Method
Guide for selection of vacuum tubes
Color cold Anticoagulant Examples of use
Red None Chemistry, serologic tests
Red/Gray None Serum separator tube; used for
tests that require serum
Lavender EDTA Most hematologic tests; bold
typing
Green Heparin Open heart surgery; arterial
blood gas
Light blue Sodium citrate Most coagulation studies
Gray Sodium fluoride Certain glucose methods

Complications in venipuncture (fill in the blank)

• Local immediate complications

• Local delayed complication

• General delayed complications

Questions
• Name precautions that must be observed in performing venipuncture.

• What are the different sites of venipuncture for

• Newborn infants
• Children
• Adults

• Give the advantages and the disadvantages of using vacutainer method.

• Give the advantages and the disadvantages of using syringe method.

• What are the different methods of making non visible veins prominent?
• How can a medical technologist / phlebotomist (student) avoid the complications classified
under immediate local complication?