This document provides instructions for taking a blood sample from a patient's veins. It outlines the necessary equipment, including blood collection systems, swabs, tourniquets, and disposable gloves. It describes the preferred veins from which to draw blood and provides a 10-step procedure for venipuncture. Factors that can make veins more difficult to access, such as anxiety, delicate veins, or previous punctures, are also listed. The goal is to familiarize medical professionals with proper blood collection techniques to minimize patient discomfort and obtain accurate samples.

1. Blood Sampling
of venous
blood
Fadi Marroushi
Nursing Care
UPJS – Kosice
2014 - 2015

2. Before taking a blood sample, it is extremely
important to be fully familiar with the
collection system being used.
It does not just make an unprofessional
impression to fiddle about with the blood
collection equipment, it will make the
patient feel increasingly anxious, which will
have a negative influence on the condition
of the veins.

3. Equipment required for blood
collection
 Blood collection system:
VACUETTE
Syringe
 Swab
 Tourniquet
 Disinfectant
 Disposable gloves
 Plasters

4. Vein Selection: Priority List
1. Median cubital/antecubital veins
2. Dorsal hand veins
3. Foot veins
4. Subclavian vein
5. Femoral vein

5. Pre preparation
 Fast (if required)
 Smile to the patient and let him/her feel
comfortable
 Collect patient’s information (Full name,
date of birth)
 Position the patient on a chair or a bed
 Wash your hands, wear gloves.
 Select the suitable site for venipuncture

6. Procedure
1. Prepare the appropriate syringe or
needle
2. If multiply specimens are to be
collected, it is better to use butterfly
needle
3. Put the tourniquet on (not too tightly and
do not leave it longer than 1 minute)
4. Sterilize the area in a circular motion.

7. 5. Ask the patient to make a fist
6. Stretch the skin next to the venipuncture
area (be careful not to touch the site
itself)
7. The needle should be 10-20 degree
angle
8. After finishing filling the needed tubes,
release the tourniquet
9. Remove the needle from patient’s body
10. Put a gauze immediately on the
puncture site and hold adequate
pressure to avoid formation of a
hematoma

10. Factors leading to difficult vein
condition
 Anxiety
 Delicate veins (children / woman)
 Cold
 Poor hydration
 Vasoconstriction of veins
 Pre-shock or shock
 Thin veins
 Brittle veins
 Repeatedly punctured veins
 Long term treatment with steroids
 Sclerosed veins
 Cachexia
 Rolled veins

11. Thanks
Any questions ? 