Final answer:
A phlebotomist drawing blood from a patient with severe Down's syndrome should communicate effectively with the patient, follow standard venipuncture or capillary stick procedures, maintain stringent infection control practices, and ensure sample handling is done with care for processing by medical technologists.
Step-by-step explanation:
Steps for Phlebotomy on a Patient with Severe Down Syndrome
A phlebotomist with a requisition to draw blood from a patient with severe Down's syndrome must take several steps to ensure the procedure is conducted safely and effectively. Initially, it is important to communicate clearly and compassionately with the patient to build trust and ease any anxieties. This might involve explaining the procedure in simple terms and ensuring that the patient is comfortable with the process. When ready to draw blood, the phlebotomist would follow standard practices for venipuncture or capillary stick, depending on the amount of blood needed for analysis. It is crucial to use appropriate techniques that consider the patient's individual physical characteristics and any potential difficulties with venous access that may arise due to Down's syndrome.
Furthermore, the phlebotomist must adhere to rigorous infection control protocols and ensure that all blood collection equipment is sterile. As patients with Down's syndrome can have varying levels of immunodeficiency, special care must be taken to prevent any potential infections. After the blood draw, the sample must be handled carefully and transported to a medical laboratory for analysis. In this laboratory, medical technologists and other technical staff process the blood for various tests or preparations for transfusions or donations, if applicable.