Title: Identify the steps in laboratory specimen collection.
Course: Patient Care Technician (14051-III) > Section: Understanding Phlebotomy and Related Procedures

Identification should include

- verifying the physician’s order
- identifying the patient/client
- assembling the equipment
- identifying venipuncture equipment typically found on a blood collection tray
- identifying micro sampling equipment typically found on a blood collection tray
- differentiating among the uses of evacuated tubes (i.e., all stopper colors) in blood collection
- selecting equipment for specimen collection needs according to physician orders, vein, and patient/client age and condition
- identifying additives/anticoagulants added to evacuated blood collection tubes by stopper color
- identifying the importance of inversion, recommended number of inversions, and fill-levels in tubes with additives/anticoagulants
- selecting proper equipment for use with patients who have latex allergies
- selecting proper bandaging equipment (e.g., site, age, allergy, skin type)
- determining appropriate site selection for blood collection (e.g., based upon varied patient/client conditions)
- preparing patients/clients and site for blood collection (e.g., micro sampling, venipuncture, bacterial culture)
- performing venipuncture on patients/clients of all ages
- performing capillary punctures by finger stick
- assisting patients in performing capillary punctures
- identifying the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI)-recommended order of draw for blood samples collected by a specified method
- taking precautions for patients with special needs (e.g., mastectomy, IV, burns, dementia, bleeding disorders)
- performing postphlebotomy care.

Teacher Resource: Blood Collection Tubes Order of Draw, Calgary Laboratory Services

Process/Skill Questions:

- What is the optimal position for patients/clients during venipuncture?
- Why is positioning important during venipuncture?
- How should the arm be positioned?
- What is the importance of checking a patient’s/client's armband before venipuncture?
- When should blood be labeled?
- Why is the order of the draw important?
- How long may the tourniquet be left on a patient/client?