But I work in a rehab where I'm the only nurse for the evening.
I haven't been taught to draw blood.
I have to do the capillary finger stick and I get bad anxiety because 9/10 is Hep C positive.
I try my best to work on my technique but sometimes it gets messy where the blood is all over my gloves and its like I'm having a full on panic attack inside. I don't trust gloves! needless to say. I still feel super expose.
I asked for the vacuum that sucks the blood up but my job says its too expansive and then if i have to stick them more than once they tell all the other patients about it.
I make sure to wipe everything down and to keep my cuts covered. But then sometimes after i sensitize I notice a cut on my finger.
None of the other nurses draw blood its only me and take sometimes 10 mins doing it this way. Is it worth it to take a phlebotomy course?
ears ago I took a phlebotomy class and it was only a 3 day course - Once you know how to find the vein and get the needle in place it's easy and you $300 dollars woul dlikely be reimbursed on taxes.
What tests are being run off this blood? I'm asking because I don't think a capillary tube will be your answer. Please let me know and I can better respond.
What tests are being run off this blood? I'm asking because I don't think a capillary tube will be your answer. Please let me know and I can better respond.
I'm collecting the blood and we send it off to a lab.
Do you know if they are spinning it down for serum? Typically for a RPR the blood is spun down for serum and then the test is performed, or at least that is how we used to do it. If this is the case, a capillary tube is not going to help you. Generally we used capillary tubes for tests that we are going to perform ourselves, such as AccuCheck, CardioCheck, Cholestech, maybe even an I-stat. For these tests you only need a drop of blood, and essentially that is all that the capillary tubes collect - 1 to 2 drops at most. It seems like you really need 5 to 6 drops of blood. I don't think this is the appropriate method for your patients at this time.
So, some questions you need to ask yourself -
Why are they not checking the RPR when they check for other blood tests, such as Hep C? Can you as that this become part of the protocol when admitted?
Do they have other blood draws, such as a CBC or CMP that you can just draw the RPR for at the same time?
Why are the other nurses not helping with blood draws, and have you spoken up for yourself and/or gone to management about this IF it is that bad?
Ultimately it it is going to be better for you and your patients if you learn phlebotomy so I'd really like to emphasize going that route.
Because based on your past threads and your post here calling a capillary collection tube a "suction thingy" to be stupendously unqualified in your role as an LPN.
Do you know if they are spinning it down for serum? Typically for a RPR the blood is spun down for serum and then the test is performed, or at least that is how we used to do it. If this is the case, a capillary tube is not going to help you. Generally we used capillary tubes for tests that we are going to perform ourselves, such as AccuCheck, CardioCheck, Cholestech, maybe even an I-stat. For these tests you only need a drop of blood, and essentially that is all that the capillary tubes collect - 1 to 2 drops at most. It seems like you really need 5 to 6 drops of blood. I don't think this is the appropriate method for your patients at this time.
So, some questions you need to ask yourself -
Why are they not checking the RPR when they check for other blood tests, such as Hep C? Can you as that this become part of the protocol when admitted?
Do they have other blood draws, such as a CBC or CMP that you can just draw the RPR for at the same time?
Why are the other nurses not helping with blood draws, and have you spoken up for yourself and/or gone to management about this IF it is that bad?
Ultimately it it is going to be better for you and your patients if you learn phlebotomy so I'd really like to emphasize going that route.
Our policy is all patients need RPR and PPDs.
We don't test them for Hep C. But being that They're usually door to door, we can see their LFTs, HIV and HBV and HCV results.
So yes I spin it, store in the fridge until it goes to lab. It's only 3 other nurses and I spoken to them about helping with blood work but to no avail so maybe it's time to speak to management.
Because based on your past threads and your post here calling a capillary collection tube a "suction thingy" to be stupendously unqualified in your role as an LPN.
But yet and still you knew what I was talking about so wasn't that stupid was it? I hate for people like you to become a nurse. Thing is I admit if I don't know it all or need help. You're just a student and act like a know it all quite scary. Anywho, begone from my posts. You're not needed. BAD ENERGY.
hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I
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