Question

A patient begins to faint during blood collection. The most appropriate line of action would be to

a. use an ammonia inhalant to revive the patient
b. continue the draw and quickly withdraw the needle
c. apply pressure to the site and lower the patient's head
d. allow the patient to leave after regaining consciousness

Answer 1

In the event of a patient fainting during blood collection, applying pressure to the site and lowering the patient's head is the best response to prevent further injury and aid recovery.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a patient begins to faint during blood collection, the most appropriate line of action would be to apply pressure to the site and lower the patient's head. This helps to promote cerebral blood flow and prevent the patient from injuring themselves if they were to faint completely. The use of ammonia inhalants can be dangerous and is not recommended. Furthermore, continuing the blood draw in this situation is not appropriate, as the patient's well-being is the priority. Once the patient is stable and conscious, it is important to make sure they recover completely before allowing them to leave.