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Venipuncture Equipment, Site Selection, and Blood Collection Technique for Professionals Who Draw Blood
This course provides practical instruction for RNs, CNAs, nursing assistants, patient care technicians, and other healthcare personnel who perform venipuncture as part of patient care. The course reviews common venipuncture equipment and collection systems, patient preparation, vein assessment and site selection, routine blood collection technique, common collection problems, infection prevention, sharps safety, and competency considerations.
Emphasis is placed on preparing for the procedure, selecting appropriate equipment and collection sites, maintaining controlled technique, protecting specimen quality, and recognizing situations in which a blood draw should be stopped or assistance should be obtained. Participants will also review factors that can contribute to unsuccessful collections, hemolysis, clotting, underfilled specimens, hematoma formation, blood exposure, needlestick injury, and other patient or specimen safety concerns.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
- Identify common equipment used for routine venipuncture and describe the basic purpose of major collection systems.
- Explain considerations involved in selecting straight needle systems, winged blood collection sets, syringe systems, blood collection tubes, tourniquets, and other routine supplies.
- Describe appropriate preparation of the patient, equipment, and collection area before beginning venipuncture.
- Explain the importance of correct patient identification, positioning, communication, and review of laboratory collection requirements.
- Assess potential venipuncture sites and describe basic considerations for selecting an appropriate vein.
- Identify common situations that may affect site selection, including bruising, hematoma, edema, IV therapy, vascular access devices, dialysis access, damaged skin, and other patient-specific restrictions.
- Describe the general sequence of routine venipuncture from tourniquet application and skin preparation through needle removal, post-collection care, and specimen labeling.
- Explain how controlled needle insertion, appropriate tube collection, proper filling, and gentle mixing help protect the patient and specimen.
- Recognize common collection problems such as absent or slow blood flow, loss of venous access, vein collapse, underfilled tubes, hemolysis, clotting, and hematoma formation.
- Describe appropriate responses to common venipuncture problems and recognize when a collection should be stopped or another qualified collector should be involved.
- Apply basic infection-prevention and sharps-safety principles throughout the blood collection process.
- Explain the importance of safety-device activation, immediate sharps disposal, and appropriate response to blood or needlestick exposure.
- Distinguish education from demonstrated clinical competency and explain why equipment-specific training may be required.
- Recognize the importance of professional scope of practice, employer authorization, facility procedure, training, and competency when performing venipuncture.
- Describe how preparation, appropriate site selection, controlled technique, and correct specimen handling support safe patient care and reliable laboratory specimens.
Information
- Relevance: This course is designed for RNs, CNAs, nursing assistants, patient care technicians, and other healthcare personnel who perform or may assist with venipuncture as part of their job duties. It provides practical guidance on blood collection equipment, patient preparation, vein assessment, site selection, routine collection technique, troubleshooting, infection prevention, sharps safety, and recognition of situations that require additional assistance, training, or competency validation.
- Content Level: Intermediate
- Course Format: This course is offered as a self-paced distance learning format (reading-based online activity)
- System Requirements: This course is offered online. Internet connection required.
- Course Completion Information: To earn continuing education credit, professionals must register and pay the fee for the course. They must read the content and demonstrate understanding by earning a minimum score of 70 percent on testing materials. The certificate of completion will be able to be downloaded after the above is completed. Refunds will be granted upon request with the withdrawal of credit for the course. For questions, concerns, or to request special accommodations, please call 866-863-4225 or email ContactUs@BaysideCEU.com.
- Last Updated: September 3, 2026