Phil the Medical Assistant is preparing to perform a routine venipuncture. After allowing enough time for the skin wipe time to air dry, Phil begins the venipuncture procedure. He anchors the vein below the venipuncture site, by holding the patients arm in his non-dominant hand, using the thumb to pull the skin taut. He holds the collection container so that the needle forms a 45-degree angle to the patients arm. What (if anything) has Phil down wrong?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Phil is using too much of an angle for a puncture to a superficial vein. Most veins lay close to the surface, the needle does not have to go deeply into the tissue, to access most venous vessels. The usual angle for a venous puncture is 15 - 30 degrees. A 45-degree angle may be used for arterial punctures.

Phil the Medical Assistant Is Preparing to Perform a Routine