During a phlebotomy, the patient expresses discomfort and requests that the procedure stop with one tube left to collect. What should the technologist do?

Prepare for the CAMLPR Specimen Collection Competency Test. Practice with diverse question sets including multiple-choice and flashcards. Each question includes hints and explanations to help you become proficient before the exam.

Respecting patient autonomy and safety is the core idea here. If a patient expresses discomfort and explicitly asks to stop, you halt immediately. Continuing or pausing briefly to resume without clear renewed consent risks causing more pain, breaking trust, and potentially harming the patient. Stopping right away shows you respect the patient’s decision and prioritize their well-being.

After stopping, remove the needle safely, apply direct pressure with gauze until bleeding stops, and release the tourniquet. Check on the patient’s comfort and be prepared to address any concerns. If they want to try again later, obtain clear consent before proceeding; if not, document what happened and plan next steps or an alternative collection approach.

Trying to resume with the last tube, using a smaller needle, or proceeding without the patient’s explicit consent would ignore the patient’s request and could increase discomfort or risk.