Table of Contents
What should you do if you hit a nerve during venipuncture?
Unless it becomes infected (worsening pain and redness), ice packs and anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen, are recommended. It should clear up in a few days, but if it does not, you might want to see a doctor. A more serious injury from a blood draw is nerve damage.
What are the causes of hematoma in venipuncture?
Hematomas are the most common adverse reaction to venipuncture. There are many factors that can contribute to the formation of a bruise. If the phlebotomist pushes the needle too far into and through the vein, blood leaks out of that opening and into the surrounding tissue.
What is the risk of drawing blood from the basilic vein?
Under the basilic vein runs an artery and a nerve, so puncturing here runs the risk of damaging the nerve or artery and is usually more painful. DO NOT insert the needle where veins are diverting, because this increases the chance of a haematoma. The vein should be visible without applying the tourniquet.
What happens when you hit a nerve in your arm?
Ulnar neuropathy occurs when there is damage to the ulnar nerve. This nerve travels down the arm to the wrist, hand, and ring and little fingers. It passes near the surface of the elbow. So, bumping the nerve there causes the pain and tingling of “hitting the funny bone.”
How would you know if you damaged a nerve during venipuncture?
Types of nerve injury sharp acute pain at venipuncture site. sharp shooting pain up or down the arm. sensation of pain that changes in severity depending on needle position. “pins and needles” sensation or an “electric shock” feeling traveling down the arm from the venipuncture site.
What’s a hematoma look like?
Hematomas can be seen under the skin or nails as purplish bruises of different sizes. Skin bruises can also be called contusions. Hematomas can also happen deep inside the body where they may not be visible. Hematomas may sometimes form a mass or lump that can be felt.
What is a hematoma lump?
A hematoma happens when blood pools and clots underneath the skin and forms a swollen lump. Many injuries can develop a hematoma and give the area a firm, lumpy appearance. If you have an injury, you might have more than a bruise.
Why is the basilic vein used for venipuncture?
The function of the basilic vein is to drain the blood from portions of your hand and arm so it can go back to the heart and lungs to be oxygenated and pumped out again.
How do you get blood out?
Soak the stain in cold water as quickly as possible. If the stain is super fresh, place it under cold running water to flush out as much of the blood as possible. If fresh, sponge the stain with hydrogen peroxide or rub bar soap into the stain and scrub by hand in cold water.
What do you use for blood?
Insert a needle successfully into the skin to access the vein. The needle is usually connected to special tubing or a syringe to collect blood. Release the tourniquet and remove the needle from the arm, applying gentle pressure with a gauze or bandage to prevent further bleeding.