Reference no: EM132555637

A phlebotomist has orders to collect blood from an outpatient. She notices the patient is elderly, so when she goes to the waiting room she yells loudly for Mrs. Smith. She gives Mrs. Smith a urine collection cup and directs her to collect a specimen, then come to the drawing room. When the patient finally sits down in the drawing chair, the phlebotomist notices that she is well beyond the 5 minute limit per patient that her supervisor requires. So, she ties the tourniquet tightly, palpates a vein, cleans the arm, assembles her equipment, and inserts the needle before the alcohol is dry. The vein rolls so she redirects the needle. Finally blood slowly enters the ETS tube, but she manages to fill all the tubes needed. When releasing the tourniquet, she notices petechiae on the patient's arm. She places a cotton ball on the arm and holds it in place with tape. She directs the patient to the exit.

1. What errors has the phlebotomist made?

2. What complications might be expected in the patient?