Actions When Having Blood Drawn

Health and Wellness - General Health

By: goodselfme 02-Jul-2012

Introduction:

Some helpful tips for those who will be having a fasting blood draw soon. Keep these facts handy of the actions to be taken for good health and convenience too.

Appointment For Blood Draw

Not everyone has to eat as soon as they get up in the morning. If you are that type of person that feels a meal should come with you waking up, make your fasting blood drawing appointment early in the morning.Find out when the earliest appointment is available and secure that for yourself.Inform the receptionist of your need to have an early appointment as possible citing the reasons for the request. As soon as you have your blood drawn have your beverage and food so you will be feeling better.Remember to make your early appointments for fasting blood draws in the future.

Morning Before the Blood Draw

Don't forget to not eat anything on the morning you will be having your fasting blood drawn if it is going to be a fasting blood draw.Ask before you have to go into the lab for the blood to be drawn so you will know what is expected of you.A call to the office the day before the blood is to be drawn should be made if you have not inquired before this.If you are allergic to latex gloves inform the lab technologist so other non latex gloves can be worn during the fasting blood draw. There is little sense to fast if your tests do not require that of you.

Exceptions on the Day of the Blood Draw

Ask your professional health care provider if you can have an exception on the day of your fasting blood draw. If a glass of water is permitted, by all means drink a full glass of water so you will be well hydrated when you give your blood for testing. The venous puncture will be more successful if you can drink a glass of water the morning of your blood being drawn for the fasting tests.All medicines should be taken with you to the doctor's office so those can be taken as soon as your blood is taken if those are to be administered early in the morning.

Night Time Requirements For a Blood Drawing In the AM

Most doctor's offices tell all the patients when they will need to not eat or drink anything prior to having the fasting blood drawn. If your doctor tells you midnight, make sure you finish all eating and medicine taking before that time.If you forget and eat something tell the lab technician what you ate or drank and the test might have to be postponed to when you can fast.If you don't say what you ate or drank your results might be different and you could very well have to be picked once again for the fasting blood test in the future.

Physical and Mental Preparations For Blood Draw

Physically the best thing to do is relax. Make sure you get a good night's sleep and breathe during the blood draw and not hold your breath. Holding your breath can lead to passing out. Wear a rollup to the upper arm type top and make sure it is loose enough to quickly roll up the sleeve for the fasting blood drawing to take place. As soon as the alcohol is put on the skin to cleanse the site where the blood is going to be taken from; look away.You will be told when you can leave, so concentrate on something else in the room and not your own blood in a tube.

Give this list a high five!

Comments

Post a Comment

hummingbirdee 7/2/2012
Flag This Comment

Great advice!
tracysmith159 7/2/2012
Flag This Comment

I always get told to drink lots of water the day before. I'm one of those people who are not a big water person and they always have a hard time. However, when I do listen, they usually get it on the first try.