Can you hit a nerve when getting blood drawn?

When inserting the needle, if the nurse or other person drawing blood is not careful, they may accidentally puncture a nerve. If they extract blood from the bottom of your wrist, the ulnar nerve may be damaged. Nerve injury can result in excruciating pain, tingling, and muscle weakness.

What is fishing in venipuncture?

Phlebotomists are trained to avoid or minimize the practice of “fishing” for the vein if the initial attempt to insert the collection needle into the vein is unsuccessful. In addition to this “fishing” process being painful to the patient, it could cause tissue and vascular damage at and around the phlebotomy site.

Can you have a reaction to a blood draw?

It can be triggered by seeing the needle, seeing your own blood, or just feeling anxious about the whole thing. With vasovagal reactions, some people feel nauseated. Others may feel dizzy, start sweating, look pale, or have a temporary drop in heart rate or blood pressure. Some people will even faint.

Why did my blood draw hurt?

For example, you may have a tiny branch of one of the sensory nerves of the arm actually running over the surface of the vein. Rarely, the needle will hit this tiny nerve on the way into the vein. This may cause a short, sharp electric-shock type pain.

Why does my arm hurt so bad after blood draw?

This is completely normal and should not cause you any concern. Although bruising can be unsightly, it should resolve over the next few days without intervention. Very rarely, pain or discomfort in your arm, hand, or fingers can indicate inflammation of the arm, a tendon or nerve injury, or the puncture of an artery.

What is the most common phlebotomy site in adults?

The most site for venipuncture is the antecubital fossa located in the anterior elbow at the fold. This area houses three veins: the cephalic, median cubital, and basilic veins (Figure 1).

What color tubes are drawn last?

1. Collect citrate tube (blue top) last, after 20mL of blood has been withdrawn for other testing, or as waste. Just prior to drawing the blue top tube as the last tube, draw 1mL into a discard blue top tube to prevent cross contamination from the additive of previously drawn tubes.

How do you feel after a phlebotomy?

What To Expect After Treatment. Some people feel tired or dizzy after phlebotomy. You might get relief from these symptoms by resting for the next 24 hours and drinking plenty of fluids. You may want to have a family member or friend take you home after the procedure.

What are the side effects of phlebotomy?

Phlebotomists must follow the procedure presented in the guidelines to avoid backflow. Hematoma, allergy, hyperventilation, air embolism, anemia and thrombosis are other side effects occasionally caused by phlebotomy.

What to do if you hit an artery during venipuncture?

What to do if you hit an artery:

1. Untie your tourniquet and pull your needle out immediately.
2. Raise the limb above your head to stop the bleeding, if possible.
3. Apply firm pressure to the wound for at least 10 minutes.

Can a phlebotomist draw blood from a patient?

But, a good phlebotomist can make a stick feel almost like nothing! The following steps are the standard procedure for drawing blood from a patient: Gather the equipment needed ahead of time. You should have everything organized on a tray to bring into the room for the patient.

What happens if you probe for a missed vein in phlebotomy?

But in phlebotomy, failing to surrender to a missed vein can lead to probing around until blood is obtained. Sooner or later, those who do seem to end up injuring patients. Nerves and the brachial artery can be easily injured when the collector probes for a basilic vein missed upon initial insertion.

Can you fish for a vein in a blood sample?

Don’t fish. It’s common practice in many blood collection centers to fish for a vein or move the vein around inside the patient’s body. This is painful for the patient and unprofessional on your behalf. If you miss the stick, withdraw the needle, replace it and try again.

What does it mean when a phlebotomist shoots a needle?

Disregard shooting pain The “reasonable and prudent phlebotomist” (legalese for one who applies the standards every time she draws blood) knows that shooting, electric-like pain indicates a nerve has been provoked, and will remove the needle immediately.