|
After withdrawing the needle, apply pressure over the vessel
with
sterile gauze. The patient can apply pressure himself while you
handle the specimen. Be sure that the pressure is applied for
five
minutes. If you used a size 25 needle, two minutes compression
will suffice.
Premature release of pressure will result in leakage of blood into
the
soft tissue and undesirable discoloration. Extra precaution
should
be taken in patients with coagulation defects.
|
