During venipuncture, you notice a developing hematoma. What steps should you take and what should you avoid?

During venipuncture, you notice a developing hematoma. What steps should you take and what should you avoid?

• A. Stop the draw, remove the needle, apply firm pressure for several minutes; avoid massaging or puncturing near hematoma
• B. Continue the draw and massage the hematoma
• C. Remove the needle, inspect site, start a new draw from a nearby site with pressure
• D. Apply ice and resume drawing after 10 minutes

Answer: (A)

When a hematoma starts to develop during venipuncture, the priority is to stop further injury and limit bleeding. Stop the draw and remove the needle to prevent deeper or continuing vessel damage. Then apply firm, direct pressure with clean gauze for several minutes to compress the puncture site and allow the clot to form, which helps seal the vessel and minimize outward bleeding. Avoid massaging the area because rubbing can disrupt forming clots and cause the hematoma to enlarge; avoid puncturing again near the hematoma because damaged vessels in that region are fragile and a new puncture there risks creating a larger bleed. If you need to obtain additional blood, select a new site away from the hematoma and apply proper pressure after the puncture.

When a hematoma starts to develop during venipuncture, the priority is to stop further injury and limit bleeding. Stop the draw and remove the needle to prevent deeper or continuing vessel damage. Then apply firm, direct pressure with clean gauze for several minutes to compress the puncture site and allow the clot to form, which helps seal the vessel and minimize outward bleeding. Avoid massaging the area because rubbing can disrupt forming clots and cause the hematoma to enlarge; avoid puncturing again near the hematoma because damaged vessels in that region are fragile and a new puncture there risks creating a larger bleed. If you need to obtain additional blood, select a new site away from the hematoma and apply proper pressure after the puncture.