Which of the following is NOT listed as a main source of phlebotomy errors?

• A. Venous stasis
• B. Blood collection device, needles, tubes
• C. Proper vein puncture technique
• D. Venus access location

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is that some factors cause problems during the draw, while proper technique is what you use to prevent those problems. Venous stasis can affect the sample by causing hemoconcentration or erroneous results; problems with the blood collection device, needles, or tubes can lead to mislabeling, contamination, clotting, or improper additives; and choosing a poor venous access location can make the draw difficult or lead to sample collection from the wrong vein. In contrast, proper vein puncture technique is the correct method you employ to perform the draw safely and accurately, so it isn’t a source of errors. It’s the practice that helps avoid the issues caused by those other factors.