Question to Nurses and Pholombolists?

Question

Hello there...

I have a small question for all of u folks who perform blood draws by syringes....when u draw the patient's blood and proceed to empty the syringe in the test tube...when the syringe is emptied, are there any traces of blood left on the inner walls of it or it looks like it hasnt been used before? So basically, can a nurse not realize that she had used this syringe before?

The reason am asking is coz I went for a blood draw today and I wasnt paying attention so I didnt notice the nurse unwrap a needle...all I saw is her holding the needle and sticking it in my vein..I looked at the needle before she used it and it looked perfectly clean...

Answer 1

Nurses generally work very quickly, any repititive task such as drawing blood, she could definately have unwrapped and attached a needle to the syringe before you even knew she was going to draw your blood--sometimes they like to have their stuff ready to use before coming in the room too so that patients don't have to get anxious waiting any longer than needed. There is just NO WAY any nurse in this country anyway would risk using syringes twice, rest easy my friend

Answer 2

As a retired nurse who has worked in situations as you have describe where i was drawing blood on patient after patient I would have already pre-prepared trays in my little work room with syringe,swabs,band aid and rubber tie off,and my gloves so after you,ve come in and sat down, i would open the syringe pack leaving it lying in the paper but accessible ,as well as my swabs.bring my tray to where you were and put on my gloves ,swab your arm tie it off slide the syringe out of the open pack and insert it ,fill my tubes ,remove the syringe and dispose of it.most of these steps are to prevent a lot of touching things that might be unsterile after i had put on my gloves.(ie.) the outside wrappers of med. supplies. I'm sure that people make mistakes but most health care places esp. blood labs are super particular about possible cross contamination passing on disease.its drilled into our heads continually. I hope this helped a bit.peace.-------------Oh! dont be afraid to ask your care giver,about anything thats bothering you . if you dont understand something its your right to ask the nurse".Hey is that needle clean?" It wouldn't have offended me, my job was to make sure you were okay with the procedure.

Answer 3

No No No a new needle and syringe are opened from a wrapper for each draw.