What does a tourniquet do and why is it needed in venipuncture procedures?

A tourniquet allows for pressure to be applied to the arm so that venous blood returning to the heart can be slowed down. As a result, the blood vessel walls become temporarily occluded and the veins distend due to the pooling of blood. This allows veins to become more visible and easier to palpate.

Why is tourniquet used in venipuncture?

A tourniquet is used to increase venous filling and makes the veins more prominent and easier to enter. Never leave the tourniquet on for longer than one (1) minute. To do so may result in either hemoconcentration or a variation in blood test values.

What is tourniquet What is it used for?

What Is a Tourniquet? A tourniquet is a device that is placed around a bleeding arm or leg. Tourniquets work by squeezing large blood vessels. The squeezing helps stop blood loss.

What is the purpose of tourniquet in IV insertion?

Veins are easy to see when engorged, which happens when they are fully occluded and the supplying arteries fully open. This device is a tourniquet that is able to apply the exact amount of pressure (between systolic and diastolic pressures) required to optimize engorgement of the veins.

Why is a tourniquet placed 3 to 4 in above the intended venipuncture site?

The tourniquet is applied three to four inches above the needle insertion point and should remain in place no longer than one minute to prevent hemoconcentration.

Phlebotomy: Tourniquet Application

Where should tourniquet be placed?

The injured blood vessel is not always right below the skin wound. Place the tourniquet between the injured vessel and the heart, about 2 inches from the closest wound edge. There should be no foreign objects (for example, items in a pocket) beneath the tourniquet. Place the tourniquet over a bone, not at joint.

What is the purpose of a tourniquet quizlet?

A tourniquet prevents venous flow out of the arm.

How long can the tourniquet be left on during a routine venipuncture?

Apply the tourniquet (tourniquet cannot be kept on for longer than 2 minutes – release it while preparing equipment & re-tighten when ready to perform phlebotomy)

What can happen if the tourniquet is left on too long?

A prolonged tourniquet time may lead to blood pooling at the venipuncture site, a condition called hemoconcentration. Hemoconcentration can cause falsely elevated results for glucose, potassium, and protein-based analytes such as cholesterol.

Should you use a tourniquet to stop bleeding?

Tourniquets are an effective way of stopping bleeding from an extremity. They do, however, stop circulation to the affected extremity and should ONLY be used when other methods, such as pressure dressings, have failed (or are likely to fail).

What are the 2 types of tourniquet?

Generally, there are two types of tourniquets: surgery and emergency. Surgical Tourniquets are used in orthopaedic and plastic surgeries for creation of a bloodless field, greater safety, better precision, and more convenience for the surgeon. Another use of the tourniquet is as a regional anaesthetic.

When do we apply tourniquet in an emergency situation?

If a person is bleeding profusely and help is not nearby, they may bleed out before first responders can arrive and provide necessary medical care. By applying a tourniquet, your goal is to restrict blood flow to the injured limb to prevent life-threatening blood loss.

What may occur if the needle is removed from the arm before removing the tourniquet?

7. Always remove the tourniquet before removing the needle from the patient's arm. If the needle is removed first, the pressure of the tourniquet causes blood to be forced out of the puncture site and into the surrounding tissue, resulting in a hematoma.

Why is it important to avoid a short draw when performing a venipuncture?

This order of draw should be followed whenever multiple tubes are drawn during a single venipuncture. This is to prevent cross contamination by the tube additives that could lead to erroneous results.

What sites should be avoided when performing venipuncture?

VENIPUNCTURE SITE SELECTION:

Certain areas are to be avoided when choosing a site: Extensive scars from burns and surgery - it is difficult to puncture the scar tissue and obtain a specimen. The upper extremity on the side of a previous mastectomy - test results may be affected because of lymphedema.

Which of the following is true when using a tourniquet during a phlebotomy procedure?

Which of the following is true when using a Tourniquet during a phlebotomy procedure? Never tie a tourniquet over open sores.

What are the precautions required to be taken while applying tourniquet?

Care should be taken to ensure that the tourniquet is of appropriate width in order to reduce the risks of local injury by preventing areas of very high pressure. It is imperative that the tourniquet is removed in its entirety at the end of the procedure.

What are the three steps for applying a tourniquet?

How many types of tourniquets are there phlebotomy?

They have two basic designs – noninflatable and inflatable. Frequently the two types of tourniquets are used together in orthopedic and plastic surgery, such as in intravenous regional anesthesia (Bier block anesthesia).

What are the parts of a tourniquet?

What happens if the tourniquet is tied too tight or too close to venipuncture site?

Your tourniquet should be tight enough to temporarily stop blood from leaving the arm but, if you apply it too tightly, you will also block the blood flow into the arm and the vein will not dilate. This defeats the purpose of using a tourniquet in the first place.

Why should a tourniquet be removed within 1/2 minutes?

The phlebotomist should not leave the tourniquet on the patient's arm for longer than a minute. This increased pressure against the vessel walls allows plasma and small molecules to flow through capillary walls and into the tissue.