Concepts about Blood Collection – Introduction to fundamental concepts of Biological Science including the organization and common characteristics of living matters, cell structures and functions, food production by photosynthesis, harvesting energy, mechanism of cells reproduction, genetics, evolutions, and Human Biology. Introduction to general chemistry including basic concepts about matter, atomic structure, chemical bonds, gases, liquid, and solids, solutions, chemical reactions, acid, bases, and salt;
organic and biochemistry including hydrocarbons and their derivatives, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, nucleic acids; principles of physics and applications to nursing including gravity and mechanics, pressure, heat and electricity; nuclear chemistry and nuclear physics, effects of radiation on human beings, and protection and disposal. The aim of the course is to acquire knowledge and skills in general biological science, general chemistry and physics.
Concepts about Blood Collection
Blood is a specialized fluid connective tissue, composed of plasma (Fluid portion) & formed elements (RBC, WBC & Platelets) circulating through the cardiovascular system.
Or
Blood is the familiar red fluid in the body that contains white and red blood cells, platelets, proteins, and other elements. The blood is transported throughout the body by the circulatory system.
Composition of Blood:
A. Blood cells (Formed element) -45%
- Red blood cell (RBC).
- White blood cells (WBC).
- Platelets.
B. Plasma-55%
- Plasma protein.
- Plasma lipid.
- Enzyme & hormones.
- Electrolytes etc.
FLOW CHART
Composition of Blood:
Cellular Elements of Human Blood with Their Normal Values:
| Cellular elements | Average value (/cmm of blood) | Normal range (/cmm of blood) |
| RBC | Adult male: 5.4 million Adult female: 4.8 million | Adult male: 4.9-5.5 million. Adult female: 4.4 – 5 million |
| WBC | 9,000 | 4,000-11,000 |
| Platelet | 300000 | 2,00,000-5,00,000 |
Functions of Blood:
1. Respiratory: Blood transports respiratory gases.
- O₂ from the lung to the tissue.
- CO₂ from the tissue to the lung.
2. Nutritional: Blood transports glucose, amino acid, fatty acid and vitamins.
3. Defensive:
- It protects the body from various pathogens.
- Carries antibody for immunity.
4. Homeostatic: It maintains water balance, electrolytes balance and temperature.
5. Excretory: Blood carries the metabolic waste product to the excretory organ (e.g. – kidney).
6. Transport: It acts as a carrier for hormones, enzymes, drugs etc.
Properties of Blood:
| Blood volume | 5-6 Liters |
| Normal reaction | Slightly alkaline, PH : 7.36-7.45. |
| Specific gravity | 1.052 1.060. |
| Viscosity | 4.5 times more viscus more than water. |
| Temperature | 36-38° C. |
| Osmotic pressure | Average 25 mm of Hg |
| Taste | Salty. |
| Color | Red, due to presence of haemoglobin inside RBC |
Types of Blood cells:
1.Erythrocyte (RBC).
2.Leukocyte (WBC).
3.Thrombocyte (platelets).
Life Span of Blood Cells:
| Blood cells | Life span |
| RBC | About 120 days |
WBC: ✓ Neutrophil | 4-8 hours in circulating blood then another 4-5 days in tissues. |
| Weeks to months | |
| Monocyte | 10-20 hours in circulating blood then another several months in tissue as tissue macrophages. |
| Platelets | 10-12 days. |
Site of Development:
A. Intrauterine life:
- Mesoderm of yolk sac: From 3rd week to 3rd month.
- Liver and spleen: From 3rd month to 5th month.
- Red bone marrow: From 5th month to birth.
B. After birth: Also from red bone marrow.
C. Adult: From the red bone marrow of the flat bones, upper end of the humerous and tibia, Vertebrae etc.
Definition of Blood Collection:
The taking of a blood sample to determine its character as a whole, to identify levels of its component cells, chemicals, gases, or other constituents, to perform pathological examination, etc.
Common Sites of Blood Collection:
A. Inner Arm
- Median cubital vein of forearm
- Cephalic Vein
- Basilic Vein
- Radial Vein
B. Dorsal surface of hand:
- Superficial dorsal vein
- Dorsal venous arch
- Basilic vein
- Cephalic vein
C. Dorsal surface of foot:
- Dorsal arch
- Dorsal plexus
- Great saphenous vein.
Figure: Common sites of Blood collection.
Procedure of Blood Specimen Collection for Routine Examination:
A. Materials:
- Tourniquet
- Small mackintosh.
- Syringes: 3ml 5ml, 10ml
- No. 20 Gauge needles.
- Alcohol swabs.
- Disposable gloves.
- Specimen container- test tube or bottle.
- Laboratory requisition form
- Sterile gauze pads (2″ x 2″)
- Adhesive tap
B. Procedure:
1. Check the physician’s order, progress, notes, and nursing care plan.
2. Identify the patient.
3. Explain the procedure to the patient.
4. Collect and prepare equipment.
5. Ensure patient’s privacy.
6. Wash and dry hands.
7. Put on clean, disposable gloves.
8. To avoid hemolysis, the needle used for venepuncture should have a short bevel, the syringe and needle must be dry, and the container into which the specimen is placed must be dry.
9. For some tests whole, clotted blood is required, whilst for others it should be anti- coagulated, so that the laboratory may obtain the fraction of the blood for examination that they require.
10. Each laboratory should issue specimen bottles containing the correct anticoagulant for each test, with instructions as to the quantity of blood required.
11. Heparin, potassium oxalate and sodium citrate are fairly common anticoagulants.
12. For blood sugar estimation fluoride is added to the tube to prevent the disappearance of the sugar from the blood.
13. Once the blood has been added to the anti-coagulant, it must be inverted gently so that it is thoroughly mixed with the specimen.
14. When sending blood for examination, care must be taken to avoid haemolysis of the specimen, for haemolysis renders the specimen useless.
15. Shaking causes haemolysis.
16. Document the procedure appropriately
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