Question

Clinical Laboratory Personnel Carrie has worked as a phlebotomy specialist at AAC Medical Center for the last 15 years. During her most recent shift, Carrie was called into the emergency room to assist with a blood draw. The patient was a 5-month-old infant. The doctor suspected that the infant had a blood infection.

Based on the information you have read about clinical laboratory personnel answer the following questions

As part of Carrie's specialized training, she is aware of certain age groups that can create a challenge when obtaining blood samples.

In order for Carrie to reduce the risk of complications for this patient, she knows that she must
A. draw the blood work 10 minutes after cleaning the venipuncture site
B. keep her work area and instruments clean and sanitary
C. clean the patients skin with peroxide and bleach
D. use only needles that have a rounded edge.

Answer 1

Carrie, the phlebotomy specialist, must keep her work area and instruments clean and sanitary to reduce the risk of complications during the blood draw from an infant. Proper hygiene and sterilization protocols are key, and the use of sharp, non-damaged needles is standard practice for venipuncture. The correct option is B.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Carrie, a phlebotomy specialist at AAC Medical Center, is tasked with drawing blood from a 5-month-old infant, she has to apply her specialized training and experience to reduce the risk of complications. One of the most critical aspects of working with such vulnerable patients is ensuring that the work area and instruments are kept clean and sanitary. This means using sterile equipment, following strict hygiene protocols, and adequately cleaning the patient's skin with appropriate antiseptics, which do not include peroxide and bleach, as these are too harsh for the skin, especially for infants.

As per best practices in phlebotomy, needles with sharp, non-damaged tips are used for venipuncture to minimize patient discomfort and tissue damage. Needles with rounded edges, as implied in the question, would not be effective for a blood draw. Therefore, the correct option for Carrie to reduce the risk of complications for the infant patient is to ensure her work area and instruments are clean and sanitary. In practical terms, this involves using alcohol wipes or other appropriate disinfectants to clean the venipuncture site and allowing it to air dry for a few seconds before proceeding with the venipuncture. In order for Carrie to reduce the risk of complications for the infant in the emergency room, she knows that she must keep her work area and instruments clean and sanitary (B). This is the cornerstone of safe practice in phlebotomy and aligns with the protocols for infection prevention and control in a clinical setting.