Answer :
Answer:
Option A, alcohol swab in a circular motion
Explanation:
When preparing a patient's venipuncture site for a blood culture collection or any minimally-invasive procedure that requires access to the vasculature, the technique should start will cleaning the site and the surrounding area.
Healthcare professionals do so using an alcohol swab because alcohol can kill many potential pathogens that may be present on the skin as it dries. It also dries fairly quickly compared to soap and water or hydrogen peroxide, which may require the use of paper towels -- these can contaminate the venipuncture site.
The circular motion, usually in a spiral formation starting from the middle and working outward, allows the healthcare professional to cover a wide surface area around the site without re-contaminating the areas already swabbed with an alcohol pad. This minimizes the risk of introducing bacteria into the bloodstream and causing infection if the needle, the catheter, the blood culture tubing, or the healthcare professional's gloves come in contact with the skin.
In short, the technique for cleaning a venipuncture site is option A, alcohol swab in a circular motion.
Final answer:
The venipuncture site for a blood culture should be cleaned with an alcohol swab in a circular motion starting at the center and moving outward, allowing it to air dry before the puncture.
Explanation:
The technique for cleaning the venipuncture site for a blood culture collection is critical for preventing contamination of the sample. An alcohol swab is often used for this purpose.
The correct procedure is to clean the site with an a) alcohol pad, swabbing in a concentric circular motion, starting at the center of the intended venipuncture site and moving outward. This method ensures that any bacteria present are moved away from the puncture site, reducing the risk of contamination. It's crucial to allow the site to air dry completely before performing the venipuncture to ensure the alcohol has sufficiently disinfected the area and evaporated, which also reduces the risk of contamination.