Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach

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Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

A Nursing Process Approach, 3rd edition

Name Date

Unit Position

Instructor/Evaluator: Position

SKILL 18-10

Obtaining a Venous Blood Specimen for

Culture and Sensitivity

Goal:An uncontaminated specimen is obtained without

causing anxiety, injury, or infection to the patient. Comments

1. Gather the necessary supplies. Check product expiration
   dates. Identify ordered number of blood culture sets and
   select the appropriate blood-collection bottles (at least one
   anaerobic and one aerobic bottle). If tests are ordered in
   addition to the blood cultures, collect the blood-culture
   specimens before other specimens.


2. Bring necessary equipment to the bedside stand or overbed
   table.


3. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated.


4. Identify the patient. Explain the procedure. Allow the
   patient time to ask questions and verbalize concerns about
   the venipuncture procedure.


5. Close curtains around bed and close the door to the room,
   if possible.


6. Check specimen label with the patient’s identification
   bracelet. Label should include patient’s name and identifi-
   cation number, time specimen was collected, route of col-
   lection, identification of person obtaining the sample, and
   any other information required by agency policy.


7. Provide for good light. Artificial light is recommended.
   Place a trash receptacle within easy reach.


8. Assist the patient to a comfortable position, either sitting
   or lying. If the patient is lying in bed, raise the bed to a
   comfortable working height, usually elbow height of the
   caregiver (VISN 8 Patient Safety Center, 2009).


9. Determine the patient’s preferred site for the procedure
   based on his or her previous experience. Expose the arm,
   supporting it in an extended position on a firm surface,
   such as a tabletop. Position self on the same side of the
   patient as the site selected. Apply a tourniquet to the upper
   arm on the chosen side approximately 3 to 4 inches above
   the potential puncture site. Apply sufficient pressure to
   impede venous circulation, but not arterial blood flow.


10. Put on unsterile gloves. Assess the veins using inspection
    and palpation to determine the best puncture site.

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