Final answer:
Given the patient's history of an IV on the right side and a mastectomy on the left, the phlebotomist should perform the venipuncture below the IV. Avoiding the left side, which is at risk for lymphedema, and potential contamination or disruption of the IV . correct answer is d) below the IV.
Step-by-step explanation:
A phlebotomist faced with a patient who has an IV on the right side and has had a mastectomy on the left must choose a venipuncture site with care. Given the circumstances, below the IV is the appropriate choice for venipuncture. Drawing blood from the left side where there has been a mastectomy should be avoided due to the risk of lymphedema, which can occur after lymph node removal during the mastectomy process. One must also avoid drawing from an extremity that has an IV infusion running because it can dilute the blood samples with IV fluids and affect test results.
Typically, a preferred site for venipuncture is the median cubital vein because it is a superficial vessel located in the antecubital region that links the cephalic vein to the basilic vein and is well supported by surrounding tissue, making it an excellent choice for a blood draw. However, in this situation, drawing from the median cubital vein on the left side would not be a viable option due to the previous surgery, and using the area above the IV on the right side could disrupt the IV or contaminate the blood sample.