{"id":724,"date":"2017-03-14T13:04:49","date_gmt":"2017-03-14T13:04:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/?p=724"},"modified":"2018-09-14T16:44:07","modified_gmt":"2018-09-14T16:44:07","slug":"how-to-make-veins-pop-out-ive-blood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/how-to-make-veins-pop-out-ive-blood\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Your Veins Pop Out to Give Blood"},"content":{"rendered":"
A phlebotomist will need to find a good, strong vein from which to draw blood. For an experienced professional, this is typically a relatively easy job. Unfortunately, some people have difficult veins to work with due to obesity<\/strong><\/a>, dehydration, and a variety of other issues.<\/p>\n What constitutes a difficult vein? Sometimes they\u2019re very small, or hard to see. Other times, they don\u2019t want to pop out or raise for the phlebotomist to be able to draw successfully.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a phlebotomist who has encountered this problem before, you know how frustrating it can be. It\u2019s your job to make sure the patient is as comfortable as possible as you take blood, and that can be difficult to do when you can\u2019t find a usable vein.<\/p>\n There are tips for making veins pop out when taking blood. They don\u2019t harm the patient in any way and can be used regularly to make your job easier and safer.<\/p>\n In this guide, we\u2019ll cover how to find a standard vein and what you can do if that vein isn’t proving to be a good option.<\/p>\n [su_list icon=”icon: check-circle”]<\/p>\n As a phlebotomist, venipuncture is one of the main parts of your job<\/a><\/strong>. Being able to find a usable vein quickly is crucial, and something you learn throughout your training. Unfortunately, some veins are significantly easier to see than others.<\/p>\n Most of the time, the visibility of the vein depends on the patient. For example, the veins of a middle-aged man will likely be easier to find than that of a woman, unless she\u2019s extremely active. Drawing blood from the elderly, young children, and infants can also be a challenge. Patients who are severely dehydrated can also make it difficult to find a vein.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finding difficult veins isn\u2019t impossible, but it can require a few different methods to be put into place. First, remember where to look. The order of venipuncture sites is vital to follow. You should draw blood in the following locations:<\/p>\n Often, you won\u2019t know your patient personally before drawing their blood, unless you work at a smaller practice and have done it for them before. If it\u2019s possible for you to give your patients some tips ahead of time, this can make hard-to-find veins for a blood draw so much easier.<\/p>\n Some patient-friendly advice for getting blood drawn include the following:<\/p>\n As a phlebotomist, though, you can\u2019t expect patients always to follow perfect procedures to make drawing blood easier, and you may even find that some patients are rude<\/strong><\/a>. It happens! In most cases, simply following best practices and knowing how to find a difficult vein is the best way to carry out a successful draw.<\/p>\n If a vein is not prominent enough to see easily, you can feel around for it. You know what to look for and where to look for it, so sometimes a gentle touch can make finding a usable vein easier than looking for it.<\/p>\n Use your index finger to palpate and trace the standard path of the vein on the arm. The right\u00a0vein should feel somewhat bouncy as you press on it. If you can find a vein with that desirable characteristic, you’ll know that you\u2019ve discovered a usable vein, even if it\u2019s not prominent.<\/p>\n Veins become more visible when blood is forced into them. You can do that by gently massaging the arm, from the wrist to the elbow. After a few minutes, gently tap the site of the puncture with your fingers to make the vein pop out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you\u2019re still experiencing difficulties, placing a warm washcloth over the puncture site can also increase blood flow and make a vein more prominent than was previously the case.<\/p>\n Using a tourniquet is something most people are used to seeing during difficult blood draws. They are popular because they are so useful. To use a tourniquet to draw blood correctly<\/strong><\/a>, you should tie it three or four inches directly above the puncture site. You should never tie it too tightly at first. Often, even a loose bind can help a vein to pop. Only tighten it if necessary.<\/p>\nHow to Find a Vein to Draw Blood<\/h2>\n
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Successful Venipuncture Tips<\/h3>\n
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How to Feel for a Vein<\/h4>\n
Massage the Area to Increase Blood Flow<\/h4>\n
Try a Tourniquet<\/h4>\n