ATI LPN
Study Guide for Fundamentals of Nursing Care: Concepts, Connections & Skills
Chapter 34 : Phlebotomy and Blood Specimens Questions
Question 1 of 5
You are performing phlebotomy on an elderly patient using a needle and syringe setup. Besides hemolysis, what can happen if you pull the plunger back too rapidly?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pulling the plunger back too rapidly can create excessive negative pressure, causing the vein to collapse, especially in elderly patients with fragile veins.
Question 2 of 5
Explain the purpose of applying a tourniquet for phlebotomy.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A tourniquet is applied to temporarily restrict venous blood flow, causing veins to dilate and become more visible and accessible for phlebotomy.
Question 3 of 5
Why is it important that you tell the patient exactly what you are about to do before you begin?
Correct Answer: A,C
Rationale: Informing the patient about the procedure helps gain their cooperation and reduces anxiety by setting clear expectations and building trust.
Question 4 of 5
Which of the following statements is(are) accurate regarding veins?
Correct Answer: B,C
Rationale: Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, while arteries carry oxygenated blood away. Vein walls are thinner, not thicker, than arterial walls.
Question 5 of 5
Which one of the following statements is not accurate when describing veins and arteries?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Veins have thinner walls than arteries, which have thicker walls to withstand higher blood pressure.