Question

After assembling the ETS and double-checking that he has the correct tubes gathered for a venipuncture draw, a phlebotomy technician realizes that he forgot to remove the tourniquet after site selection. He knows that it has been in place for more than one minute. If he continues with the draw, what is one possible consequence? (A) The procedure will be more painful for the patient. (B) There will not be sufficient blood flow to fill the necessary tubes. (C) The selected site will be difficult to find. (D) The specimens collected will not produce accurate test results.

Answer 1

Leaving the tourniquet on during a venipuncture draw for more than one minute can result in insufficient blood flow and inaccurate test results.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the phlebotomy technician continues with the venipuncture draw without removing the tourniquet after one minute, one possible consequence is that there will not be sufficient blood flow to fill the necessary tubes. The tourniquet restricts blood flow, and if left on for an extended period of time, it can cause vein collapse or slow blood flow, leading to difficulty in obtaining a sufficient amount of blood.

This can result in incomplete blood collection, which means that the specimens collected will not produce accurate test results. Blood tests require a certain volume of blood to ensure accurate analysis, and if there is not enough blood, the results may be compromised or inconclusive.

It is important for the phlebotomy technician to remove the tourniquet after site selection and within the appropriate timeframe to ensure proper blood flow and accurate specimen collection.