Question

After cleaning the venipuncture site with alcohol, What should the phlebotomist do?

1) Apply a tourniquet
2) Insert the needle at a 45-degree angle
3) Clean the site again with iodine
4) Begin the venipuncture procedure

Answer 1

The phlebotomist should allow the venipuncture site to air dry after cleaning with alcohol, then apply a tourniquet if not already done, and proceed with the venipuncture procedure at the correct angle for needle insertion.

Step-by-step explanation:

After cleaning the venipuncture site with alcohol, a phlebotomist should generally allow the skin to air dry to prevent any stinging sensation that may occur if the alcohol is not fully evaporated when the needle is inserted. Once the site is dry, the phlebotomist can proceed with the next steps. If there is no specific indication for further skin antisepsis, such as the use of iodine, the phlebotomist would typically apply a tourniquet to help fill the vein with blood, making it easier to access. However, this is generally done before cleaning the site to avoid contaminating the clean area. The angle of needle insertion is typically much less than 45 degrees; it is often closer to 15 to 30 degrees, depending on the depth of the vein and other factors. Given the options provided, the correct sequence after allowing the skin to dry would be to begin the venipuncture procedure, bearing in mind the correct angle for needle insertion and other best practices for safe and effective venipuncture.