American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnician Certification Practice Exam

What should a phlebotomist do if they accidentally puncture an artery instead of a vein?

1. Apply pressure and inform the physician immediately

2. Ignore it if there is no bleeding

3. Continue with the procedure

4. Apply a tourniquet above the puncture

The correct answer is: Apply pressure and inform the physician immediately

If a phlebotomist accidentally punctures an artery instead of a vein, the correct response is to apply pressure and inform the physician immediately. This action is vital because arterial punctures can lead to significant bleeding and hematoma formation due to the high pressure within arteries compared to veins. Applying firm pressure helps control the bleeding and minimizes the risk of complications. Informing a physician or a supervising healthcare professional is essential for further management, as they may need to perform additional interventions to ensure patient safety. The other options do not prioritize patient safety effectively. Ignoring the incident if there is no bleeding does not account for the potential for delayed bleeding or complications. Continuing with the procedure is inappropriate as it disregards the existing complication that could lead to further harm. Applying a tourniquet above the puncture is not recommended in this scenario, since it may exacerbate ischemic conditions or lead to further complications.