Question for a Phlebotomist or Nurse

[MIGrandma]

My doctor's office just called, I assumed they were calling with the results from the blood work I had done on Thursday. Nope. Apparantly my blood clotted for one of the tests, so they want me to come back in Thursday morning to draw more.

I'm a "hard draw" and once she got the vein it kept giving out, so she'd poke around and it would start again, then stop, etc. It took probably 3-4 minutes to get the blood she needed. I hate having blood drawn, so I don't look forward to having it done again so soon.

What would cause the blood to clot like that? I've never had that happen before and I didn't think to ask her when she called.

 

[fkj2]

Several factors could be involved. One is that your blood is simply viscous, or thick. People with higher hemoglobins tend to have slower flow. Also, if the needle is small, flow is reduced. If it takes too long to flow and get into the appropriate tube, the blood begins to clot.

If you're a difficult stick, you might suggest the phlebomtimist (sp?) wrap an area with a warm, but not burning hot, wash rag around the potential puncture site. The warmth may help dilate the vein and make the stick easier. Plus, if you're already nervous about the stick, your hand turns cold and makes the puncture more difficult.

Hang your hand/arm down for a few minutes. Gravity helps fill and distend the veins. Open and close your hand after the tourniquet is applied with helps distend the veins. The arterial pressure is high enough to continue to infuse lood into the extremity and the tourniquet then prevents (or at least decreases) blood return back to the heart, again increasing blood volume in the vein.

Hope some of these help. And talk about anything. The weather. The markets, food prices; anything to distract yourself from what's really going on.

Best.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well I am not the nurse or phelbotomist but I am a hard draw too. I always usually ask them to use the butterfly needle.

One of my last tests they said the results were bad too and my gp said it would have to be done over as the blood clotted. I asked him if the test showed no clotting problems what would it indicate and he said a kidney problem.

So I put up with the big needle and her poking me around to try to get the blood in the tube and a nice black and blue mark that lasted for a while. I figured I better put up with it because I didnt want kidney problems on top of the cancer I already have.

Hope your next test goes as well as possible.