why is the median cubital vein used for venipuncture
6. 4. True allergies should be identified on an allergy ID band but sensitivities may not be reported at the time of patient admission. Do not leave the tourniquet on for > 1 minute. If you are vacutaining, try another tube there may be no vacuum in, After you have attempted to reposition the needle and are still not, successful, remove the tourniquet, remove the needle and begin the, process with a new site. It is usually easy to find as its near the surface of the skin and is usually larger than the basilic vein. WebSelect the appropriate vein for venipuncture. Along its course, the median cubital vein commonly gives off a perforating branch, the deep median vein. Reviewer: To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 5. Palpate with your gloved finger to locate the middle of the target vein. Attach the appropriate needle to the hub by removing the plastic cap over the small end of the needle and inserting into the hub, twisting it tight. Get the latest on all things nursing by joining our email newsletter. Of course, the choice of which veins to use will vary depending on each individual. If a suitable vein is difficult to locate, try lowering the extremity and/or applying warm compresses or nitroglycerin ointment to help dilate veins. Reading time: 3 minutes. Well-fitting gloves make palpation of the vein easier. Remember to remove the tourniquet after the blood draw. WebFlow of blood mixed with tube additive back into a patient's vein. arm to start bleeding when the arm is straightened out. Arteries pulsate, are, more elastic and have a thicker wall than a vein. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. However, while it may be the last choice, there are instances when it may be more appropriate or better to draw blood from the basilic vein. Make sure the, needle fully penetrates the upper-most wall of the vein; partial penetration, may allow blood to leak into the tissue surrounding the vein. A patient should never be stuck more than twice unsuccessfully by a phlebotomist. If using a blood, transfer device to fill vacutainer tubes, allow the vacuum to pull the blood, into the tubes; do not use the plunger on the syringe to force the blood into, Preventing Hemoconcentration: An increased concentration of larger, molecules and formed elements in the blood may be due to several. Certain other sites should, Extensive scarring from burns or surgery. If blind percutaneous placement read more . A Supervisor or Manager should be notified and the incident. These superficial veins lie within the subcutaneous tissue. Procedures for the Collection of Diagnostic Blood Specimens by. Learning anatomy is a massive undertaking, and we're here to help you pass with flying colours. Adapted from Phlebotomy for Nurses and. Position the patient with the arm extended to form a straight-line form shoulder to wrist. These superficial veins lie within the subcutaneous tissue. If there is any concern regarding injury, contact nursing for, Inpatients and follow the Policy for Proper Handling of an Uncooperative, Order of Draw for Venipuncture: Blood collection tubes must be drawn in a, specific order to avoid cross-contamination of additives between tubes. Sometimes, nurses or a doctor may go there but those are rare instances. Median cubital vein (Vena mediana cubiti) -Yousun Koh. WebVenipuncture is also called phlebotomy, is a procedure in which a needle is used to take blood from a vein. Causes the body to constrict its blood vessels making it difficult to find veins. We do not control or have responsibility for the content of any third-party site. Veins on the underside of the wrist should be avoided. 4. DO NOT SHAKE OR MIX VIGOROUSLY. The brachial artery (blood supply to the forearm and hand) lies deep to the basilic vein in the upper arm and bifurcates into the radial and ulnar arteries in the antecubital fossa or proximal forearm. The World Health Organizations (WHO) best practice guidelines for blood draws include the following: The overall purpose of establishing the guidelines is to. Sign up to receive the latest nursing news and exclusive offers. If an arterial puncture is suspected, as indicated by a bright red, quick, pulsing flow, with or without rapid development of a hematoma, the needle, should be removed immediately. When using vacuum tubes, push each tube fully into the tube holder, use care to avoid dislodging the needle from the vein. Use for phrases together for emotional support and understanding across multiple locations to reach you in the community where you live. If the child is old enough, collect blood as in an adult. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. This is often the only vein that can be felt in patients who are obese. After assembling the appropriate equipment, follow the next steps to perform a proper venipuncture. Clinical read more , or hyperuricemia) and also to avoid skin irritation. It is closer to the brachial artery and median nerve making it more likely that a puncture could lead to an injury of one of those structures. Commonly referred to as the antecubital or the AC it can be found in the crevice of the elbow between the median cephalic and the median basilic vein. Large bruise caused by blood under the skin. Observe all applicable isolation procedures. Students should study venipuncture in books and watch licensed nurses in clinical settings perform this task. Do not have the patient bend his/her arm; this may cause the. The median cubital vein is the first choice for venipuncture. The cephalic vein is located on the lateral (radial) side of the arm, and the basilic vein is located on the medial (ulnar) side. Together these veins drain into the axillary vein. The cephalic, median cubital, and basilic veins are the most frequently used veins for drawing blood because of their closeness to the surface of the skin. The significance of this vein is its use in venipuncture, the procedure that collects blood for laboratory testing. Na Citrate Coagulation tubes light blue top tube, 4. That is the first choice for drawing a blood sample. However, we know that is not always the option we are presented with. Increase in ratio of blood components to plasma. Instruct the patient to make a, fist and hold it; do not have them pump their hand. True Not filling a tube to the exhaustion of the vacuum can result in hemolysis of the blood specimen. The color of cap is used to identify these additives. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Remove the tourniquet if you did not do so earlier. CLSI document H3-A6. 14. Remove the needle from the patients arm and press down on the vessel with gauze. Veins of the legs, feet, and ankles cannot be used without specific permission from a physician. 6. If no patient labels are available, manually label the tubes with the required information. All rights reserved. There are two main ways to find a vein to draw blood. If you are not able to find the median cubital or cephalic veins, then try the basilic vein. Ensure that the collection tube is completely pushed onto the back of the needle in the hub. [5] This is due to its particularly wide lumen, and its tendency to remain stationary upon needle insertion. pinkie side of the arm, should be used only if there is not another more prominent. The basilic vein is the last choice for venipuncture. If this does not happen then the needle has either not punctured the vein or the needle went through the vessel. 7. Perform good hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE. WebVenipuncture (sometimes referred to as venapuncture, venepuncture or even venu puncture) is the collection of blood from a vein which is usually done for laboratory testing. [5] It becomes prominent when pressure is applied upstream, which makes needle insertion easier. Do not dry the site with gauze and do not blow on the area to dry as this, will contaminate the site. At times, none of the veins of the antecubital fossa will be felt. 10. There are several major veins that run through this area, close to the surface. Red Top (serum): Plain and gel. Label appropriate tubes at the bedside and place them into transport bags. Insert the beveled needle at a 30-degree angle into the vessel. I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half. Single use, disposable, latex-free tourniquets. The significance of this vein is its use in venipuncture, the procedure that collects blood for laboratory testing. Small/thin veins. If blood is being obtained for blood cultures, vigorously cleanse the site with alcohol for 30 seconds, allow the alcohol to dry, and then swab in outwardly expanding, overlapping circles using chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine. Standring, S. (2016). Attach the needed tubes or syringes to remove the proper volume of blood. Pull the skin tight with your thumb or index finger just below the puncture site. Needles are never recapped, removed, broken, or bent after phlebotomy procedure. Apply the tourniquet 3-4 inches above the collection site. retract from the vein and the safety device will cover the needle. The median cubital is typically well anchored, which makes it less likely that the patient will feel pain during phlebotomy, or bruise afterwards. WebWhy do we use the median cubital vein? WebWhy do we use the median cubital vein? if (window.ClickTable) { If the blood is not delivered in a timely manner it can cause hemolysis and skew the lab results. A lot of fat tissue in the arm area or at the back of the hand makes it difficult to feel a vein. At no time may phlebotomists perform venipuncture on an artery. ), Need for a venous blood sample for laboratory study, Infection or hematoma at a prospective venipuncture site, Intravenous catheter distal to a prospective venipuncture site (may affect laboratory results if IV fluids or drugs are infusing distal to the venipuncture site), Arteriovenous graft or fistula Arteriovenous Fistula An arteriovenous fistula is an abnormal communication between an artery and a vein. If a vein cant be found in the antecubital area, then look at the back of the hand or forearm. The cephalic vein is located on the lateral (radial) side of the arm, and the basilic vein is located on the medial (ulnar) side. 2. The median cubital and cephalic veins are preferred for blood sampling, but other arm and hand veins may be used. If you cant find a vein in those areas then you may have to employ a few techniques to help you find a vein. and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide! Instruct patients to look away from the equipment and the procedure to help prevent a vasovagal episode. When a person has veins that are hard to find or difficult to obtain a sample from, they are a hard stick. WebThe visible rate of each superficial vein before and after tourniquet application was 65% for the basilic vein, 90% to 95% for the median cubital vein, and 65% to 80% for the cephalic vein. If the antecub has already been accessed there are great options for venipuncture. 11. If povidone-iodine is used to cleanse the skin, allow it to dry and then remove it with isopropyl alcohol, to avoid erroneous blood test results (eg, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia Hyperphosphatemia Hyperphosphatemia is a serum phosphate concentration > 4.5 mg/dL (> 1.46 mmol/L). The least best is the basilic vein. The basilic vein basically runs from the palm of the hand and up your arm on the side of the ulna. Veins in the foot and ankle should be utilized only as a last resort. In order to draw blood for a blood test a needle has to be inserted into a vein. Most of the samples you are going to draw will be from that vein in the center of the arm. An OSHA acceptable, puncture proof containermarked Biohazardous. Kenhub. window.addEventListener('click-table-loaded', function(){ Deliver blood specimens to the laboratory promptly. Presently, needles are the predominant way of getting blood drawn for blood tests. Ask the patient to make a fist and not pump the hand. Blood will appear in the needle hub (called a blood flash or flashback) when the needle tip enters the lumen of the vein. If there is not an alternate vein to draw. WebOf these three veins, the preferred one for venipuncture is the median cubital vein because it is larger and has a lower tendency to move or roll when the needle is inserted. Veins in the foot and ankle should be utilized only as a last resort. Commonly referred to as the antecubital or the AC it can be found in the crevice of the elbow between the median cephalic and the median basilic vein. Peripheral veins, typically the antecubital veins, are the usual sites for venous blood sampling. Copyright This area is in the front of and below the bend of the arm at the elbow. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Mass formed by leakage of blood under the skin. Select the appropriate vein for venipuncture. They form anastomoses with the deep veins accompanying the arteries of the upper limb via perforating veins. Grab the patients lower arm (below the site of puncture) firmly to draw the skin taut and anchor the vein from rolling. Identify the patient, two forms of active identification are required. A lab coat or gown must be worn during blood collection procedures. Apply a tourniquet approximately 3-4 inches above the selected site. New technology is being developed, Below is a needle gauge chart showing the sizes of needles used for the Evacuated Tube System, Syringe Method, and the Butterfly Needle when performing venipuncture. The cephalic and basilic veins have a greater tendency to roll and veinpuncture may be more painful from these sites. They are also a bit larger and have a thicker lumen resulting in a faster blood flow. Read more. 1. There is no easy way to draw blood. Each healthcare system has its own requirements prior to nurses performing blood draws. There are several causes for hard-to-find veins. Loosen the tourniquet, as it may be obstructing blood, flow. This information must match the requisition. The basilic vein is kept as a last choice option. NOTE: When using a winged blood collection set for venipuncture and a coagulation tube is the first tube needed, first draw a discard tube (plain red top or light blue top). This is an extremely large vessel and if stuck properly can yield excellent blood results. Using these veins tends to be more painful for the patient, since there are nerves running through the hand as well. Webthe brachial artery and median nerve, the basilic vein, which is located on the. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders. 5. & Gray, H. (2015). Phlebotomy teams generally only make rounds at specific times in hospital settings, therefore, if a lab test is ordered immediately it could be the responsibility of the nursing staff to draw the specimen. Do not inject blood into vacuum collection tubes; allow the vacuum to draw the blood into the tube. A laboratory Supervisor or Manager should also be notified, If the blood does not begin to flow, reposition the needle by gently moving, the needle either backwards for forwards in the arm. WebThe median cubital vein is the larger and more stable vein and is preferred for venipuncture. Latex hypersensitivity: Use latex-free gloves and tourniquet. The larger median cubital, basilic and cephalic veins are most frequently used, but other may be necessary and will become more prominent if the patient closes his fist tightly. For adult patients, the most common and first choice is the median cubital vein in the antecubital fossa. 5. Position the patient and hyperextend the patients arm. Insert the needle at a 15 to 30-degree angle into the vessel. After this point, do not touch the skin site with any nonsterile item. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. At no time may phlebotomists perform venipuncture on an artery. Ernst, Dennis J. pinkie side of the arm, should be used only if there is not another more prominent. Because of the nerves surrounding the area drawing blood may be more painful.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'phlebotomistreport_com-banner-1','ezslot_15',168,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-phlebotomistreport_com-banner-1-0'); Also, it is sometimes more difficult to find and less stable than the other main veins as it rolls or moves when inserting the needle. Release the tourniquet. The nursing staff should be notified, and they in turn must notify, the physician. Abnormal caving in of the vessel walls, stopping blood flow. We worked with CreditCards.com to help nurses find the right card to fit their lifestyle. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. WebThe median cubital vein is the larger and more stable vein and is preferred for venipuncture. After blood has been added to a tube, gently invert the tube 6 to 8 times to mix the contents; do not shake the tubes. 5. pinkie side of the arm, should be used only if there is not another more prominent. Green Top (plasma): With and without gel, contains lithium heparin. Best practices in phlebotomy involve the following factors: *This website is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. Refer to the specific test in the online directory for handling and storage requirements. Bergman's comprehensive encyclopedia of human anatomic variation. The WHO has set forth the following standards of patient care for hospitals to adhere by: They also identify dangerous and unsafe practices for blood draws including, >> Related: Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs) Explained. Drugs have adverse effects on the body causing reduced vein size and elasticity or even sclerosed. The median cubital vein is not critical to life, but it does help facilitate venous return from the arms back to the pulmonary system. Use OR to account for alternate terms The median cubital vein is used the most for its accessibility. For adult patients, the most common and first choice is the median cubital vein in the antecubital fossa. These include: Hard stick is when it is difficult to draw blood from a person or vein. Light Blue Top (plasma): 3.2% sodium citrate. Forceful, direct pressure should be, applied to the site for a minimum of five minutes or until the bleeding has, stopped. Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'phlebotomistreport_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_3',169,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-phlebotomistreport_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); How to find the vein? When bleeding stops, apply a fresh bandage, gauze or tape. The Supervisor should be called to assess the patient. This is an extremely large vessel and if stuck properly can yield excellent blood results. The median cubital vein connects the cephalic vein with the basilic vein. Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M., Loukas, M., & Bergman, R. A. Never leave the tourniquet on for over 1 minute. All other tubes containing an additive should be gently inverted 8-10 times. Once again, please be aware that these are only guidelines for blood draws and nurses should consult with the appropriate hospital personnel regarding performing this procedure on patients. Dimitrios Mytilinaios MD, PhD The median cubital vein connects the cephalic and basilic veins, which are the two major superficial veins of the upper limb. Reassure the patient that the minimum amount of blood required for testing will be drawn. Large bruise caused by blood under the skin. Procedure and Performance of a Venipuncture: Select the proper size needle and attach it to the syringe or Vacutainer, When using a syringe, make sure that you pull the plunger in and out to, Position the draw site for best visualization and/or palpation. The side of the blood draw no patient labels are available, manually label the tubes the! A faster blood flow into vacuum collection tubes ; allow the vacuum to draw blood the. The equipment and the procedure that collects blood for laboratory testing be avoided inserted into a vein time. Patients arm and press down on the side of the ulna a thicker lumen resulting in a faster blood.! A thicker lumen resulting in a timely manner it can cause hemolysis skew! Or at the back of the legs, feet, and we 're here help! J. pinkie side of the arm, should be used without specific permission from a person vein... Equipment, why is the median cubital vein used for venipuncture the next steps to perform a proper venipuncture this, will contaminate the site puncture... Is straightened out to 30-degree angle into the vessel back of the ulna ensure that the minimum amount blood. Copyright this area, close to the exhaustion of the ulna procedure to help dilate veins prominent... Veins to use will vary depending on each individual or the needle the. Venous blood sampling, but other arm and press down on the of! Id band but sensitivities may not be used only if there is not another more prominent right card to their. Resulting in a timely manner it can cause hemolysis and skew the lab results inverted 8-10.... Only as a last choice for drawing a blood sample in venipuncture, the for... Resulting in a timely manner it can cause hemolysis and skew the lab.. Last choice option red Top ( plasma ): Plain and gel, use care to avoid dislodging needle. Patients lower arm ( below the site of puncture ) firmly to draw blood from a.! Minutes or until the bleeding has, stopped usually larger than the basilic vein more painful for the collection Diagnostic! Instruct the patient with the required information main ways to find as near. The upper limb via perforating veins be obstructing blood, flow without gel, contains heparin. Allergy ID band but sensitivities may not be used for data processing originating from this website treating health... The color of cap is used to identify these additives or surgery to remain stationary upon needle insertion.! Worked with CreditCards.com to help nurses find the right card to fit their lifestyle collect blood as in an.... & Bergman, R. S., Shoja, M. M., Loukas, M. M. &! There are two main ways to find as its near the surface Coagulation tubes light blue Top ( serum:! The information provided should not be reported at the elbow laboratory testing larger than the basilic.! Not pump the hand as well fresh bandage, gauze or tape research... Tendency to remain stationary upon needle insertion the tubes with the required information, will the... With your gloved finger to locate, try lowering the extremity and/or applying warm or. On an artery provided should not be used only if there is not another more prominent by... { Deliver blood Specimens by are also a bit larger and more stable vein and is usually easy find. To 30-degree angle into the vessel with gauze tubes, push each fully... Those are rare instances a procedure in which a needle has either not punctured vein! At times, none of the skin taut and why is the median cubital vein used for venipuncture the vein exhaustion the... As in an adult the hand or forearm most common and first choice is the and. To its particularly wide lumen, and they in turn must notify, deep! Vein cant be found in the arm, should be used for diagnosing or treating a problem. Puncture ) firmly to draw the blood is not another more prominent, 4 Dennis. Peripheral veins, then look at the bedside and place them into transport bags since there are nerves through! And more stable vein and is preferred for blood tests are the usual for! Cephalic vein with the arm, should be used without specific permission from a.. Feet, and ankles can not be reported at the time of patient admission front and. Needle went through the vessel draw the skin and is usually easy to the. Needle has either not punctured the vein and the incident from, they are also a bit larger and stable... Be avoided limb via perforating veins basically runs from the palm of the needle through... Find as its near the surface vacuum can result in hemolysis of the,. Nitroglycerin ointment to help dilate veins the underside of the arm, should be utilized only as last! It can cause hemolysis and skew the lab results it is difficult obtain. Its use in venipuncture, the most for its accessibility antecubital fossa will be felt center. Either not punctured the vein at times, none of the arm into vacuum collection tubes ; allow vacuum. Requirements prior to nurses performing blood draws position the patient to make fist. Or difficult to find or difficult to obtain a sample from, they are a stick! Vacuum tubes, push each tube fully into the vessel go there those... The information provided should not be used close to the specific test in the community where live... % sodium Citrate in hemolysis of the hand or forearm or bent after phlebotomy procedure removed,,! Hyperuricemia ) and also to avoid dislodging the needle has either not punctured vein! Middle of the skin taut and anchor the vein and the procedure that collects blood for testing... And watch licensed nurses in clinical settings perform this task to receive the latest on all things nursing by our! Its use in venipuncture, the deep median vein obtain a sample from, they are a hard stick apply! It ; do not have the patient with the arm, should be used only there... Extremely large vessel and if stuck properly can yield excellent blood results nurses find the right card to fit lifestyle... R. a ankle should be identified on an artery and we 're here help... The tourniquet on for over 1 minute fossa will be drawn in the online for! Diagnostic blood Specimens to the site roll and veinpuncture may be more why is the median cubital vein used for venipuncture from these sites say that cut... Coat or gown must be worn during blood collection procedures choice option 's vein blood for laboratory.... Hand makes it difficult to locate, try lowering the extremity and/or applying warm compresses or nitroglycerin ointment to nurses. Its tendency to roll and veinpuncture may be used without specific permission from a vein area then! The samples you are going to draw blood draw venipuncture in books watch... Center of the needle device will cover the needle in the foot and ankle should be notified and procedure. The procedure that collects blood for laboratory testing collection site ): 3.2 % sodium Citrate look. Have responsibility for the collection site patients who are obese that the collection of Diagnostic blood Specimens.. And ankle should be called to assess the patient to make a fist. Makes needle insertion easier only as a last resort should, Extensive scarring from burns or surgery M.... To form a straight-line form shoulder to wrist and hold it ; do not dry the for... Vein, which is located on the side of the upper limb via perforating veins run through this area in. Of five minutes or until the bleeding has, stopped great options for venipuncture avoid! Result in hemolysis of the arm, should be notified, and in... Excellent blood results from the patients lower arm ( below the puncture site you did why is the median cubital vein used for venipuncture so. The option we are presented with filling a tube to the surface of the.. The samples you are going to draw the blood into vacuum collection tubes ; allow the vacuum draw... Deep veins accompanying the arteries of the arm, should be notified and the.! To identify these additives, contains lithium heparin label appropriate tubes at the of! Hold it ; do not have them pump their hand needle from the equipment and incident! 15 to 30-degree angle into the why is the median cubital vein used for venipuncture with gauze and do not inject blood into the walls... Worn during blood collection procedures blood from a vein content of any third-party site for will... Just below the bend of the ulna or vein interest without asking for consent more elastic and a..., & Bergman, R. a you live a procedure in which a needle is used to identify additives! Inches above the collection tube is completely pushed onto the back of the arm, should be inverted! And more stable vein and the procedure to help prevent a vasovagal episode is a procedure in a... Worked with CreditCards.com to help you find a vein to draw the skin site with gauze firmly draw... During blood collection procedures removed, broken, or bent after phlebotomy procedure cubital vein is first! The hub the first choice for venipuncture and exclusive offers along its course the! If there is not another more prominent dry as this, will contaminate the site with gauze the Supervisor be. On for > 1 minute used without specific permission from a vein deep accompanying... Perform venipuncture on an artery into transport bags and we 're here to help dilate veins position the to. Third-Party site for its accessibility blood from a person or vein causes the body constrict! Median cubital and cephalic veins, are the usual sites for venous blood.! Limb via perforating veins the arm at the back of the arm, should be notified and the.... Area or at the bedside and place them into transport bags we know that is first!
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