Which safety feature should be checked on a mastectomy patient before venipuncture?

Study for the NHCO Phlebotomy Test. Experience flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your phlebotomy exam!

Multiple Choice

Which safety feature should be checked on a mastectomy patient before venipuncture?

Explanation:
The key safety point is to avoid venipuncture on the arm on the side of a mastectomy because lymphatic disruption from the surgery raises the risk of lymphedema. A limb alert bracelet is the quickest, most reliable cue that signals this restriction to anyone drawing blood, so you can choose the opposite arm or a suitable alternative site. The other identifiers (medical alert or allergy bracelets, or an ID badge) provide health or identity information but don’t indicate which limb is unsafe for blood draws.

The key safety point is to avoid venipuncture on the arm on the side of a mastectomy because lymphatic disruption from the surgery raises the risk of lymphedema. A limb alert bracelet is the quickest, most reliable cue that signals this restriction to anyone drawing blood, so you can choose the opposite arm or a suitable alternative site. The other identifiers (medical alert or allergy bracelets, or an ID badge) provide health or identity information but don’t indicate which limb is unsafe for blood draws.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy