Routine Venipuncture (Online CE Course)

(based on 2,208 customer ratings)

Authors: Mary Ertl Dettmann, MA, CLS, MT(ASCP); Beth Kratzer, CLS, MT(ASCP)
Reviewer: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM

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Individual course$25Add to cart
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A blood test is only as good as the specimen that is collected. Routine Venipuncture is an excellent course for novice or experienced phlebotomists. Review the important aspects of your blood collection procedures, including the recommended order of draw, proper patient identification, acceptable and unacceptable sites for blood collection, and variables in collection procedures that can affect the accuracy of the blood test.

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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1.5 hour(s)
Approved through 3/31/2026
Approved through 3/31/2026

Objectives

  • Identify and describe equipment used for routine venipuncture.
  • Assess and select suitable sites used for venipuncture as well as locations to avoid.
  • Describe and utilize the required steps to perform routine venipuncture.
  • Understand how pre-analytic and hidden errors affect the quality of a specimen.
  • Describe actions that ensure safety during performance of a venipuncture.

Customer Ratings

(based on 2,208 customer ratings)

Course Outline

Click on the links below to preview selected pages from this course.
  • Define venipuncture and identify the equipment that is used in the performance of a routine venipuncture.
    • Needles
      • Needles - What's the Point?
      • Needles and Patient Safety
      • Blood Collection Systems and Devices
      • Winged Blood Collection Device
      • Syringe
      • The diameter of a needle that has a gauge of 23 is __________ the diameter of a needle that has a gauge of 18.
    • Blood Collection Tubes
      • Blood Tube Labeling Information
      • Blood Collection Tubes
      • A blood collection tube that has a light-blue top contains which of these anticoagulants?
    • Miscellaneous Equipment
      • Tourniquets, Alcohol, and Gauze
      • Cleansing the Venipuncture Site
  • Vein Selection
      • Give Yourself a Chance
      • Explore the Possibilities!
      • Which of the veins in the antecubital area should be considered only as a final alternative due to its proximity to an artery, nerves, and tendons?
    • Hand Veins
      • When to Use Hand Veins to Obtain Blood
      • Handle With Care
      • Tips for Successful Venipuncture When Using Hand Veins
      • Where should the tourniquet be placed when assessing a vein in the hand as a venipuncture site?
    • Vein Assessment
    • No - Don't Go There!
      • Unacceptable Sites for Venous Blood Collection
      • Performing a Venipuncture on an Arm Containing an Intravenous Line
      • If a vein cannot be located in the antecubital area of the arm, the next best alternative for venipuncture is a vein in the ankle.
  • Venipuncture Procedure
  • Effects of Preanalytic and Hidden Errors on Specimen Quality
      • What are Preanalytic Errors?
      • Preanalytic Errors
      • What are Hidden Errors?
      • Proper Patient Identification
      • Importance of Using the Correct Blood Collection Tube
      • Order of Draw
      • Correct Fill
      • Labeling Specimens
      • Do Not Tamper With the Specimens
      • Avoid Prolonged Tourniquet Time
      • Preanalytic and hidden errors can greatly affect a laboratory result.Match the error listed below with the cause from the drop-down box.
      • Ideally, a tourniquet should remain tightened for no longer than what amount of time before releasing it?
  • Think Smart Think Safe
      • Protect Yourself
    • Use common sense when it comes to safety
    • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
      • Don't Compromise Your Safety
  • Scenarios
    • Scenario #1
      • Julie Smith is a recently certified phlebotomist who has been working at Northwood Hospital for several months. As she approaches room 825, she looks ...
      • Which of the following methods could Julie have used to positively identify the patient?
      • Scenario Conclusion
    • Scenario #2
      • Bobby Jones, a phlebotomist at Community Hospital, enters the room of Mrs. Mary Grayson with a physician's order for blood tests. After greeting Mrs. ...
    • Scenario #3
      • A phlebotomist was collecting a STAT prothrombin time (PT) and complete blood count (CBC) on a patient when blood flow unexpectedly stopped. The laven...
  • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for laboratory personnel, phlebotomists, and other healthcare personnel who perform venipunctures. This course is also appropriate for clinical laboratory science and phlebotomy students.
Author Information:
Mary Ertl Dettmann, MA, CLS, MT(ASCP) is the education supervisor for Wheaton Franciscan Laboratory in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University. She has created several interactive, adult-learning courses in laboratory-related subjects including phlebotomy.
Beth Kratzer, CLS, MT(ASCP) is a Clinical Trainer in the Education Department at Wheaton Franciscan Laboratories in Wauwatosa Wisconsin. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire in 1981 and obtained a Certificate of Professional Training from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2004. In addition to many years of technical experience in the hospital environment, Beth has been involved in the creation, implementation and facilitation of educational and training programs for healthcare associates since 2001. Currently, Beth is a primary facilitator for all programs created and offered by her department which include courses for the beginning and experienced.
Reviewer Information: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBTCM has over 20 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist, section supervisor, and laboratory manager. He is the former Director of Clinical Laboratory Technology Program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. He is currently a Program Director at MediaLab, Inc. Alexandru holds BS degrees in Biology and Medical Technology from Clark Atlanta University and a MBA from the University of Georgia.
Course Description: This course focuses on the routine venipuncture procedure including the tools that are available, steps in the procedure, recommendations for venipuncture site choices as well as sites to avoid, pre-analytic errors, and safety issues.

How to Subscribe
MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package
Includes 176 CE courses, most popular
$109Add to cart
Pick Your Courses
Up to 8 CE hours
$55Add to cart
Phlebotomy CE Package$59Add to cart
Individual course$25Add to cart
Need multiple seats for your university or lab? Get a quote
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