UNIVERSITY OF ESWATINI

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL NURSING

INTRODUCTION TO PARASITOLOGY
BACHELOR OF NURSING SCIENCE
GNS 104 ASSIGNMENT 1
DATE DUE: 6 OCTOBER 2023
NONHLE SIBANYONI 202301612
LUYANDA DLAMINI 202302000
WAKHILE K MAVIMBELA 202302847
BRIGHT SIMELANE 202302772
MELULEKI S NDWANDWE 202301674
 I. INTRODUCTION
Blood collection/venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. This procedure is necessary for diagnosis
and assessment of a patient’s condition. Blood can be collected using 3 methods namely venous, arterial and
capillary.

II. OBJECTIVES
 To describe the blood collection procedure
 To identify the correct material for the blood collection procedure
 To discuss safety precautions related to blood collection procedure
 To determine the rational for each step of the procedure
 To describe and name blood vessels used for blood collection

III. LITERATURE REVIEW

A. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BLOOD COLLECTION
 Aseptic technique- which deals with cleaning the site of blood collection with an antiseptic solution so
to minimize contamination of the sample
 Types of blood collection- there are 3 types of blood collection techniques :
 -Venipuncture-blood is collect from a vein
 -Arterial puncture-blood collected from an artery typically in the wrist or groin area.
 -Capillary puncture-blood is collected from a capillary usually from a dermal puncture of
the fingertip or heel.
 Catheterization -this method involves inserting a catheter into a vein or artery to allow repeated
sampling
 Cardiac puncture-This method is used when large volumes of blood is required and when other methods
are impossible, it involves inserting a needle into the heart.

B. EQUIPMENT LIST
 PPE-Personal Protective Equipment :
These include none sterile gloves and gown so to protect both health practitioner and client.
 Tourniquets :
To make the vein more visible and easier to access the vein
 Antiseptic solutions:

These may include 2% Chlorohexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol. This can be used to clean
the site so to prevent the contamination of the blood sample.

 Gauze pairs or cotton balls:

These are used tom apply pressure to the site after collection
 Evacuated collection tubes
 These vacuum sealed tubes, which are used to collect blood samples

 Needles and Syringe

The most commonly used needle for venipuncture is 21 gauge butterfly needle to penetrate into the vein
to collect blood sample. Syringes are used to allow for aspiration that prevents.

C. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

The safety precautions for when collecting a blood sample according to the World Health
Organisation:
 Wearing of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to prevent contamination of blood sample and cross
contamination between health care practitioner and client
 Always use a new needle and syringe for each patient.
 Avoid getting blood, wet or dry, on your fingers or hands.
 Cover cuts or abrasions on your hands with a waterproof dressing.
 Avoid accidentally pricking yourself when handling sharp instruments that have been in contact with
blood.
 Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you finish a job.
 If you get blood on your skin, quickly wipe it off with a cotton swab dampened with alcohol; then wash
the affected area with soap and water as soon as possible.

D. STORAGE AND HANDLING OF BLOOD SAMPLES

 Blood samples should be stored at 4–8°C until shipment takes place, or for max 7 days.
 When kept for longer periods, blood samples should be frozen at −20°C or lower and transported to the
testing laboratory on frozen ice packs.
 Repeated freezing and thawing of blood should be avoided, as it may have detrimental effects on the
stability of IgM antibodies.
 As a general rule, blood specimens should be shipped to the laboratory as soon as possible. The
shipment should not be delayed for the collection of additional specimens.
 Blood specimens, in their uniquely labelled, sealed vials, should be placed in sealable plastic bags or
pouches containing absorbent materials such as cotton wool to soak up any leakage that may occur.
 Styrofoam boxes or an insulating (vacuum) flask should be used to contain the sealed bags or pouches.
The specimen form and investigation form for each specimen should be placed in a separate plastic bag
and taped securely to the inner surface of the top of the Styrofoam box or the outside of the vacuum
flask.

IV. FINDINGS
PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTING A BLOOD SAMPLE FORM A VEIN (VENIPUNCTURE)
1. Identify and prepare the patient. Identify the patient to make sure that the procedure us done on the
correct individual. Introduce yourself to the patient and explain the procedure to the client to get their
full cooperation.
2. Assembly the equipment. Collection all the equipment needed for the procedure and place them on a
disinfected trolley to ensure that the items are clearly visible and easily accessed.
3. Select the site. Extend the patient’s arm and on the antecubital fossa locate the vein of a good size that is
visible, straight and clear, usually the median cubital vein because it lies between muscles thus making
 them easy to puncture. Do not insert the needle where veins are diverting in order to prevent hematoma
(trauma or injury of veins and arteries)
4. Apply the tourniquet and examine the vein again. Apply a tourniquet on the upper arm of the patient
to enable the veins to be seen or felt. Ask the patient to make a tight fist so that the veins are more
prominent.
5. Insert the needle (attached to a syringe or vacutainer tube), and steadily draw blood. Insert a
sterile, non-reusable phlebotomy needle (attached to a syringe or vacutainer tube) along the line of the
vein, with the bevel of the needle facing directly upwards. Steadily draw > 2 mL to 4 mL of blood.
6. Release the tourniquet, remove needle and press firmly on the venipuncture site with a piece of
dry cotton. When enough blood has been collected, release the tourniquet, and instruct the patient to
open his or her fist. Remove the needle, and press a piece of dry cotton firmly on the venipuncture site.
Instruct the patient to continue pressing on the puncture site with the arm raised until any bleeding stops.
7. Transfer the blood to the evacuated collecting tube. Mix gently by inverting the tube six times. Do
not shake the tube.

IMAGE 1: EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR BLOOD COLLECTION PROCEDURE

 IMAGE 2: GUIDE FOR NEEDLE INSERTION STEP IN BLOOD COLLECTION PROCESS

V. QUESTIONS
1. Explain the importance of disinfection of the finger before collecting the sample.
It is important to disinfect the finger to avoid infection and prevent the transfer of bacteria to the
tubes and cause false positive results. It also prevents microorganisms from entering the through
the puncture and coming into contact with blood
2. Why is it necessary to wear gloves?
Wearing gloves reduce the risk of contamination the of the health care worker with the blood ,
which can put him/ her at a higher risk of acquiring HIV, Hepatitis B and other infections that
con be transmitted through blood contact. It also protects the patient from exposure from
microorganisms
3. What is the rationale for making a fist/applying a tourniquet before collecting the blood?
This helps by making veins more visible. It assists in the location and definition of peripheral
vein to achieve successful and venipuncture.
4. What is the reason for applying cotton wool and Elastoplast?
This helps keep the wound clean and prevent further bleeding
5. Why shake the blood tube after collecting the sample.
Shaking the blood tube mixes the withdrawn blood with the anticoagulant hence preventing
blood clotting.
6. When using a disposable needle & disposable syringe. Explain the reason for withdrawing
the disposable needle first before squirting the blood into the vacutainer tube?
It prevents contamination of sample and prevents blood from flowing back into the needle.
 7. Explain the importance of maintaining the vacutainer tube vacuum.
Vacutainer tubes are designed to be used a vacuum draw system and are calibrated to withdraw
the required volume of venous blood providing it used as specified by manufacturer of the
vacutainer.

VI. COMMENTS

VII. CONCLUSION
We have described the blood collection procedure according to international standards and the rationale
of each step. We have stated the correct material for the blood collection procedure. We have stated the
safety precautions for blood collection procedure according to World Health Organization standards. We
also discussed main types of blood collection methods and blood vessels used in each method.

VIII. REFERENCES
1. Sarode, R. (2022). Blood Collection. In MSD Manual Professional Edition. Retrieved from MSD
Manuals
2. National Institute of Open Schooling. Technique of Blood Collection. Retrieved from NIOS
3. Mayo Clinic Laboratories. Specimen Collection and Preparation Guide. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic
Laboratories
4. American Society of Hematology | Blood. Retrieved from American Society of Hematology
5. World Health Organization Module 3 Blood Group Serology. Retrieved from World Health
Organization
6. University of Manitoba. Guidelines for the Collection of Blood Samples in Clinical Research.
Retrieved from University of Manitoba
7. National Institute of Open Schooling. (n.d.). Technique of Blood Collection. Retrieved from [NIOS]
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