Question

If a patient has had a mastectomy, or has a broken arm, or has had an intravenous therapy in the arm on the left side of their body, why would you not draw blood from the left arm in each case?

Answer 1

Drawing blood from the left arm may not be recommended in cases of mastectomy, broken arm, or recent intravenous therapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the given cases, you would not draw blood from the left arm due to the specific medical conditions or procedures.

If a patient has had a mastectomy, which is the surgical removal of the breast, drawing blood from the affected arm may not be recommended as it can increase the risk of lymphedema, a condition characterized by swelling and fluid retention.

If a patient has a broken arm, drawing blood from that arm may cause further discomfort or complications.

If a patient has had intravenous therapy in the left arm, it is advisable not to draw blood from that arm immediately after the procedure as it may affect the accuracy of the blood test results.