Step-by-Step Guide to Venipuncture

Discover the procedures, steps, risks, and requirements for venipuncture with a basic comprehensive guide.

Drawing blood or administering IV treatments are routine procedures for nurses. The process of accessing a patient's veins for intravenous purposes is clinically referred to as venipuncture. While it may seem like a straightforward procedure, there is an art to effectively enter the vein to obtain blood or administer medication. Patients appreciate nurses who can perform venipuncture quickly and accurately, reducing the need for additional needle sticks.

In this blog, we will be covering all that you need to know about venipuncture, from the basic procedures to risk assessments. Venipuncture is a fundamental skill for any nurse.

What's the Definition of Venipuncture?

Venipuncture, a crucial medical procedure, is used to obtain intravenous access for blood sampling or intravenous (IV) therapy. This invasive procedure is typically performed by a nurse or other medical professionals using a needle. Vacuum tubes are attached to the needle to hold the collected blood.

It is worth noting that while the terms "venipuncture" and "phlebotomy" may be used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference. Phlebotomy solely refers to blood collection, whereas venipuncture encompasses both blood collection and the introduction of the needle for IV therapy purposes.

Performed frequently, venipuncture is one of the most common medical procedures, and it is often carried out by nurses. At Ultrassist., we understand the importance of this technique in the medical industry and are dedicated to manufacturing high-quality medical products to support medical education training in providing for medical students.

What is the Purpose of Venipuncture?

As a professional nurse, performing venipuncture serves five essential purposes, which include:

1. Obtaining blood samples for diagnostic purposes
2. Monitoring critical levels of blood components
3. Administering necessary treatments such as medications, chemotherapy, and nutrition
4. Removing blood in cases of excessive levels of iron or erythrocytes (red blood cells)
5. Collecting blood for later use, particularly for blood donation

How Long Does it Take to Perform Venipuncture?

These procedures are fast and efficient, typically taking only two to three minutes. The needle insertion process requires only a few seconds, however, initial preparation is necessary in order to locate the optimal vein and apply a tourniquet. Once the needle has been inserted, the collection of the typical three tubes of blood should take no more than 30 seconds.

What Materials Are Needed for Venipuncture?

This straightforward procedure does not require many items beyond the needles, collection tubes, and tourniquets. Here’s a complete list of what's needed:

1. Lab forms
2. Vacuum tubes specific to the lab requests
3. Blood-drawing needle
4. Tourniquet
5. Completed laboratory specimen labels (patient name, etc.)
6. Container for used needle
7. Biohazard leak-proof transportation bags
8. Alcohol swabs for disinfection before venipuncture
9. Gauze and bandage to cover the site after the needle is removed
10. Sterile gloves

Steps in venipuncture

After you've gathered the materials listed above, you’re ready to perform venipuncture. These are the steps:

1. Ensure the vacuum tubes are labeled with the patient’s information
2. Wash your hands and put on your sterile gloves
3. Place the patient's arm on the arm board (if available) and extend the arm fully
4. Apply the tourniquet 3 to 4 inches above the access site
5. Have the patient form a fist and look for a good vein
6. Select a vein, release the tourniquet, and ask the patient to relax their fist
7. Cleanse the site thoroughly with the alcohol swab
8. Reapply the tourniquet and have the patient again make a fist
9. Uncap the needle
10. Grasp the patient’s lower arm to draw the skin taut and anchor the vein from rolling.
11. Insert the needle
12. If correctly inserted, blood should flow into the vacuum tube. If this is not happening, the needle either misses or passed through the vein.
13. As the blood flows into the tube, have the patient release their fist.
14. After you collect the requisite number of tubes, you can release the tourniquet
15. Place the gauze pad over the needle and remove it. Apply slight pressure to the sight and cover it with a bandage.
16. 16. Place the labels on the collected blood
17. 17. Discard the collection unit, placing the needle in the container
18. 18. Send the blood specimens to the lab for testing

Are you prepared to embark on a career as a medical professional?

If you aspire to become a medical professional, it is essential to be well-versed in venipuncture, a common procedure performed by nurses in medical settings. IV injection training products are designed specifically for nursing students to broaden their knowledge of medical technology and achieve success in their careers. At Ultrassits, we offer a range of venipuncture training products to assist you in pursuing your nursing career. Follow this link to learn more about our top-notch products.