Final answer:
The correct actions when an antecubital vein cannot be located are to use a vein on the underside of the wrist or perform a capillary puncture. It's important to not use a tendon as they do not contain blood vessels and can cause injury. So, the options are A and B.
Step-by-step explanation:
If an antecubital vein cannot be located for a venipuncture, the correct action to take is to use a vein on the underside of the wrist or to perform a capillary puncture. It is important not to use a tendon for venipuncture because tendons do not contain blood vessels and drawing blood from a tendon could cause injury. Manipulating the site might help to locate a vein, but caution must be taken to avoid excessive probing which can cause patient discomfort and potential bruising.
- Using a vein on the underside of the wrist is a suitable alternative as these veins are also superficial and can sometimes be easier to palpate.
- Capillary puncture is another alternative, often used for small volumes of blood, typically performed on the finger or heel.
- Manipulating the site involves gently applying pressure and releasing it to help the vein to become more prominent. It's a technique sometimes used by experienced phlebotomists.
Therefore, A and B are the best option.