American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) Phlebotomy Practice Exam

If IVs are inserted in the antecubital area, where must blood be drawn from?

1. Above the IV site

2. Directly from the IV

3. Below the IV site

4. From the opposite arm

The correct answer is: Below the IV site

When blood is drawn from a patient who has an intravenous (IV) line inserted in the antecubital area, it is essential to ensure that the sample collected is not contaminated by the fluids being administered through the IV. Blood drawn below the IV site would mix with the IV fluid, leading to inaccurate test results. Therefore, drawing blood from above the IV site would prevent contamination and ensure that the sample is representative of the patient's venous blood. Choosing to draw from the opposite arm is also a viable option in some scenarios, but it may not always be practical depending on the patient's condition or the presence of an IV line in only one arm. Drawing blood directly from the IV would not only result in contamination but may not provide meaningful laboratory results due to dilution from the IV fluids. In summary, collecting blood from above the IV site ensures a clean, uncontaminated sample, allowing for accurate laboratory testing.