Final answer:
The correct course of action when a patient develops a hematoma during venipuncture is to apply pressure, assess the patient, and seek medical attention if needed. Hemorrhage management and the types of blood used in emergency transfusions are also discussed, with type O negative being the universal donor and AB positive identified through agglutination tests.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient suddenly develops a large hematoma during a venipuncture procedure, the proper course of action involves several steps to ensure patient safety and to manage the situation effectively. First, the venipuncture should be stopped immediately, and pressure should be applied to the site of the bleeding to control and minimize the blood loss. The pressure should be maintained for several minutes or until the bleeding has stopped. Next, the patient should be assessed for any signs of distress or continued bleeding, and the limb should be elevated to reduce blood flow to the area if possible. It's vital to monitor the patient closely during the entire process. If the hematoma is large or if the bleeding does not stop with pressure, it may be necessary to seek additional medical assistance or escalate care.
Hemorrhage, or significant blood loss, can be life-threatening and requires prompt attention. The body initially responds to hemorrhage by increasing blood pressure and maintaining blood flow, but eventually, medical intervention may be necessary to restore blood volume, as suggested by the provided references. In cases of trauma, like a motor vehicle accident, if a patient's blood type cannot be determined in time, type O negative blood, the universal donor type, is transfused because it is most likely to be compatible with any blood type. In a hospital lab setting, agglutination in both anti-A and anti-B wells indicates that the patient's blood type is AB positive, which is a normal response and not an error.
A hematoma is a collection of blood that forms outside of blood vessels and can result from complications during medical procedures, trauma to the head which may damage arteries, or as a complicating factor in strokes or bone fractures. When a hematoma forms in the brain following a blow to the head or as a result of a stroke, it can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical intervention.