Question

A medical assistant observes a hematoma developing at the site of a venous blood draw. The assistant should do which of the following?

a) Apply pressure to the site for an extended period.
b) Remove the tourniquet and continue the draw.
c) Reinsert the needle at a different angle.
d) Apply a warm compress to the site for comfort

Answer 1

The medical assistant should apply pressure to the site of a venous blood draw if a hematoma is observed to control bleeding and prevent it from enlarging.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a medical assistant observes a hematoma developing at the site of a venous blood draw, the correct action would be to apply pressure to the site for an extended period. This helps to control bleeding and allows the blood vessel to seal, which can prevent the hematoma from growing larger. The other options, such as removing the tourniquet, reinserting the needle, or applying a warm compress, are not appropriate initial responses to the development of a hematoma. It is essential to first control the bleeding and ensure that the site is stable before considering other actions for comfort.