? about blood draw/bruising

Sleepyeyes · Mar 12, 2003

Well, it's a little late now, but the next time you have to get stuck, make sure you put firm pressure on the site for a couple of minutes. This stops the bleeding, which results in the bruise, which causes the pain.

For now...

maybe a Tylenol?

louloubell1 · Mar 12, 2003

That is kind of weird...bruising all the way from your AC to your armpit I mean, AND the fact that this was all done last Wednesday and you're now noticing bruising....I think I would get this checked out because (I could be totally wrong here) but I'm thinking that it sounds like a superficial vein thrombosis. If so, there may be a clot that needs to be evacuated or something, but I've never actually seen this clinically so I don't know......

BranRN · Mar 12, 2003

I agree with RNLou, you may want to get this checked out.....I had a TB test recently and it caused no soreness afterwards. You may want to check with your Doctor or where ever you had the blood drawn and ask them if whats going on is normal after a stick. Hope you get to feeling better soon.

Brandi

Sleepyeyes · Mar 12, 2003

Originally posted by memphispanda
I had blood drawn last Wednesday for a physical. They had to stick me twice. I also had a TB test on the same arm. The unsuccessful stick was at the antecubital. It really didn't hurt too bad, and she didn't dig around or anything--she used a butterfly.

Well, my arm has been sore since all of this. I thought maybe it was from the TB test, or maybe just from being stuck 3 times in that arm. Yesterday I noticed that the vein has bruised all the way up to my armpit and it's VERY sore.

Why would it do this? And is there anything I can do to help get rid of it quicker?

Now that I reread this, it IS unusual to be that bruised. Please go back to the doc and have it looked at.

RN2B2005 · Mar 12, 2003

I always have horrendous bruising and ecchymosis after venipuncture, especially after I give blood, but it occurs distal to the site, e.g., towards my hand. I've never had bruising go up more than an inch or two. Get it checked out.

To avoid bruising, I usually ask that pressure be applied using Coban and a cotton pledget. Coban is great because it doesn't stick to the skin; I've ended up with bruising from removing the bandaid.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2003

The women in my family bruise like the Dickens after a blood draw. My guess is she blew a vein the first time. Next time apply pressure and don't bend your arm.

memphispanda, RN · Mar 12, 2003

Thanks for the replies. I do usually bruise pretty badly at and around the actual puncture site, but this only made a little green circle at the puncture site. I didn't notice the bruising until last night, and it does look old--it's greenish. And it runs in a line along the vein, starting about an inche above the puncture site. I haven't had anything like this happen before. I guess if it continues being painful or if anything changes for the worse I'll go to the doc. I swear I need to get a portacath...I must have the worst veins in the region.

ratchit · Mar 12, 2003

You have an irritation from the puncture site running up to your armpit? Could be a phlebitis. Usually warm packs applied several times a day will make it go away but can also lead to DVT's. Definitely get it looked at soon.

Rapheal · Mar 14, 2003

Same thing happened to me last week but not as bad. I think the nurse went through the vein when she first put the cath needle in and then withdrew it back into the vein to complete the draw. I am not sure this happened but I did notice her technique was lacking. The first tip off was the tournequet left on for about 4 minutes while she completed her paperwork, and then I noticed she was not wearing gloves. Finally it is fading.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Mar 14, 2003

Recently I read that you shouldn't bend your arm to hold pressure, but rather keep it straight. I take Motrin and I notice the bruising pretty bad when I have taken a bunch the last few days.

Anagray, BSN · Mar 14, 2003

I agree with pthers, u should get it checked out just in case, but I remember one time when i was little, a nurse drew my blood and "fished" around too much. My arm in the antecubital area was black and blue the size of a grapefruit and then it turned green.

Good luck