Case Studies: Case Study 9

Discussion

  • The blood pressure cuff was correctly inflated to 40 mmHg. The site for the incision is indeed the inside of the forearm a few inches below the bend of the elbow, and the cut was correctly made parallel to the bend of the elbow. However, the phlebotomist did not allow the alcohol to dry, and then made the additional mistake of wiping the incision with alcohol. Alcohol will retard blood coagulation, resulting in a falsely elevated bleeding time. It is also important to ask the patient about medications taken within the past week. Certain medications, particularly aspirin, will result in an elevated bleeding time.
  • Relevant topics:
  • Bleeding time: introduction 1, Bleeding time: introduction 2, Bleeding time: performance, Bleeding time, Apply blood pressure cuff, Bleeding time: prepare the site

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