Final answer:
Typically, 8-10 mL of blood per bottle is collected for adult blood cultures, totaling 16-20 mL when taking both aerobic and anaerobic culture sets. This volume may vary by facility and manufacturer recommendations, and adherence to blood collection guidelines is crucial for reliable results.
Step-by-step explanation:
The volume of blood cultures collected depends on various factors, including the type of culture bottles being used, the age and weight of the patient, and the specific protocols of the healthcare facility. However, for adult patients, it is common to collect 8-10 mL of blood per bottle for a set of blood cultures. Typically, two sets of blood cultures (aerobic and anaerobic) are collected from two different sites on the patient's body, totaling approximately 16-20 mL of blood. The exact volume may vary by institutional policies and specific manufacturer recommendations of the culture bottles. A medical assistant or phlebotomist should always follow the appropriate blood collection guidelines provided by their facility to ensure accurate and reliable results.