MLSP112: PRINCIPLES OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE PRACTICE 2
TOPIC: VENIPUNCTURE PROCEDURE (NEEDLE AND SYRINGE)
2nd SEMESTER | S.Y 2022-2023
LECTURER: Sir Joshua Luigi Ramel, RMT
TOPIC
SUBTOPIC
SUB SUBTOPIC
EQUIPMENT
• Requisition form
• Gloves (latex and non-latex)
• Tourniquet (latex and non-latex)
• 70% isopropyl alcohol pad
• Syringe needle (syringes and needles)
• Evacuated tubes
• 2x2 gauze
• Sharps container (portable for out-patients)
• Indelible pen (manual labelling; notes or refusal of
the patients)
• Bandage
• Biohazard bag
PROCEDURE
• Step 1: Obtain and examine requisition form
- If barcoded, make sure it is clear (to avoid
scanning errors)
- If manual, make sure it is completely filled up
with the necessary information
• Step 2: Greet and reassure the patient and explain
the procedure to be performed
• Step 3: Identify the patient verbally by having him
or her state both the first name and last name and
compare the information on the patient’s ID band
with the requisition form
- Age, birthday, Full name, sex
- If minor, ask the guardian or parent
- If unconscious or in a vegetative state, ask the
guardian
• Step 4: Verify if the patient has fasted, has allergies
to latex, or has had previous problems with
venipuncture
1|Page
• Step 5: Select correct tubes and equipment for the
procedure. Have extra tubes available
• Step 6: Wash hands and apply gloves (Standard
Precautions)
• Step 7: Position the patient’s arm slightly bent in a
downward position so that the tubes fill from the
bottom up. Do not let the patient hyperextend the
arm. Ask the patient to make a fist
• Step 8: Apply the tourniquet 3 to 4 inches above the
antecubital fossa
- Palpate the area in a vertical and horizontal
direction to locate a large vain and to
determine the depth, direction, and size
- The median cubital is the vein of choice
followed by the cephalic vein
- The basilic vein should be avoided if possible.
Remove the tourniquet and have the patient
open his or her fist
• Step 9: Clean the site with 70% isopropyl alcohol in
concentric circles moving outward and allow it to air
dry
- Do not blow
• Step 10: Assemble the equipment as the alcohol is
drying. Attach the hypodermic needle to the
syringe. Pull the plunger back to ensure that it
moves freely and then push it forward to remove
any air in the syringe
• Step 11: Reapply the tourniquet, remove the needle
cap, and inspect the needle
• Step 12: Ask the patient to remake a fist, and
anchor the vein by placing the thumb on the
nondominant hand 1 to 2 inches below the site and
pulling the skin taut
- Elasticity of the veins may attempt to evade
• Step 13: Hold the syringe in the dominant hand
with the thumb on top near the hub and the other
fingers underneath
- Smoothly insert the needle into the vein at a 15
to 30 degree angle with he bevel up until you
feel a lessening of resistance. A flash of blood
Transcribed by: JAMARA
 will appear in the syringe hub when the vein has
been entered.
- Brace the fingers against the arm to prevent
movement of the needle when pulling back on
the plunger
• Step 14: Pull back the syringe plunger slowly using
the nondominant hand to collect the appropriate
amount of blood (no excess and no less than
requested
• Step 15: Release the tourniquet and have the
patient open the fist
- Remove the tourniquet first then the needle
- Throw the tourniquet first then the sharp
• Step 16: Cover the puncture site with gauze,
remove the needle smoothly, and apply pressure
• Step 17: Remove the needle from the syringe, and
discard it in the sharps container
• Step 18: Fill tubes in the correct order. Mix
anticoagulated tubes as soon as they are removed
from the transfer device
• Step 19: After tubes are filled, the entire syringe are
discarded into a sharps container
• Step 20: Label the tubes and confirm identification
with the patient
- Stick barcode into the tube
- If manual, clarify identification with the patient
• Step 21: Examine the puncture site and apply a
bandage
• Step 22: Remove gloves and wash hands

2|Page Transcribed by: JAMARA