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Have you ever heard your phlebotomist mention that you should drink more water? If this has ever happened to you, it is for an important reason. Getting your blood drawn properly is a crucial procedure. Whether you are donating blood or looking for some quick blood work results, having the process done by a trained phlebotomist is important. If you are someone aspiring to be a highly skilled phlebotomist, it is important to understand how hydration works in the blood drawing process.
This is an important thing that is taught at the best phlebotomy schools near me. When a patient is properly hydrated, it makes the blood drawing process fairly easy.
Hydration: Why is it important for a smooth blood drawing process?
If you are getting your blood work done by a phlebotomist, it is often suggested that you refrain from consuming any type of food for a minimum of 12 hours. This is why often phlebotomists suggest that you get your blood work done early in the morning after waking up minus breakfast. As a phlebotomist enrolled with the best phlebotomy classes near me, you must make your patient aware of the importance of practicing this mandate.
Food can drastically alter the results of blood work. However, the opposite is true for water. A patient should be well hydrated before the blood extraction is done. If you visit the hospital or blood bank while you are dehydrated, a phlebotomist would have a hard time drawing blood.
A well-hydrated patient will have a plumper vein which makes it easy for the phlebotomists to locate the vein and draw blood with ease. Best phlebotomy training near you teaches its phlebotomy students the best way to draw blood even if the veins aren’t plumped. However, if you are hydrated, your phlebotomist would have to pitch in less time to find the vein.
How much water is good before the blood draw?
Maintaining proper hydration is important for your daily well-being as well as mental wellness. And, while you do that, make sure you ditch any caffeinated beverages or soda. Such drinks don’t hydrate you. Rather, they worsen your health while dehydrating you in the long run.
If you are unsure of the amount of water that is ideal to stay hydrated, you can follow a golden rule. Your hydration requirements would vary depending on your body weight. For example, if you are 200 pounds, your body would need a minimum of 100 ounces of water on a daily basis. This is in case you aren’t indulging in strenuous exercise. For someone who regularly works out, hikes, or jogs, adding another 100 ounces of water to the existing 100 ounces is necessary.
Why Is Dehydration Bad During Blood Draw?
A major reason that makes dehydration bad for the blood draw process is the fact that it thickens the blood & lowers the blood pressure. In certain cases, low blood pressure is ideal for an easy blood draw process. However, that might not always be the case. If a patient’s blood pressure goes low during the blood drawing process, there is a chance that he/she might faint during the procedure. It would be difficult for the patient to recover after fainting.
Plus, thicker blood makes it harder for a phlebotomist to draw blood or puncture a vein.
In some cases, your phlebotomist would recommend that you refrain from drinking water during certain blood draw procedures. This is done mostly during surgeries and blood tests. However, if the phlebotomist mentions that it’s fine to consume water before the process, follow the 100 ounces guide mentioned above. A bare minimum mark for daily water consumption is about 64 ounces.
Even though the process of blood extraction could be stressful for the patient as well as a phlebotomist, proper hydration can help ease the process.
In order to be ready for the blood extraction process, make sure you chug in a good amount of water. Don’t chug in a lot of water at once. Make sure you drink water slowly over a period of time. If you chug water all at a time, it will lead to vomiting or regurgitation issues. Take a few deep breaths and, if possible, talk to your phlebotomist in case you are feeling nervous.
Additional Tips for a Smooth Blood Draw
If you enroll with the best phlebotomy schools near you, it is also important to know about other tips and tricks that ensure a smooth blood draw process.
· Ensure the patient has a lot of good sleep before the blood draw
· Ask the patient to avoid consuming alcohol for a minimum of 24 hours prior to blood donation
· In case your patient feels dizzy post blood donation, ask them to sit down or lie down with the head between the knees until the dizzy feeling passes
· Don’t consume heavy meals before a blood draw
· Keep the venipuncture site dry and clean after blood has been drawn
· If you find that the site is bleeding even after bandage removal, raise the arm & apply light pressure on the inner bicep
· If you feel unwell even after a few hours, consult your physician
Conclusion
With these facts in mind, a successful blood draw process can be completed. If you are on your way to mastering the art & science of phlebotomy, ensure that you enrol with the best phlebotomy classes near me. Phlebotomy is among the most sought-after career choices, and when trained by the best phlebotomists, you can ensure that your patient has the best blood draw experience. Remember, each patient is different, and it is important to ensure that you are patient with them and make them feel as relaxed as possible.
Call to Action
Do you wish to learn phlebotomy from the best trainers in the Tucson area? Berry Best Phlebotomy Training Academy is here at your service! Our training module is streamlined to help train the students in a quick and efficient way. Start your journey to become a highly sought after phlebotomist with Berry Best. Enroll for our AM, PM, or Saturday classes today.