If a patient alerts you that they may faint while venipuncture is performed it is best to

Fainting occurs when your brain temporarily doesn't receive enough blood supply, causing you to lose consciousness. This loss of consciousness is usually brief.

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If you feel faint
If someone else faints
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How to Manage Patients Who Pass Out
22 Comments
What do you do if someone faints during venipuncture?
How do you prevent a patient from fainting when getting blood drawn?
Why do some people faint when getting blood drawn?
What patient position is preferred when drawing blood if the patient has a history of syncope?

Fainting might have no medical significance. Or the cause can be a serious disorder, often involving the heart. Therefore, treat loss of consciousness as a medical emergency until the signs and symptoms are relieved, and the cause is known. Talk to your doctor if you faint more than once.

If you feel faint

Lie down or sit down. To reduce the chance of fainting again, don't get up too quickly.
Place your head between your knees if you sit down.

If someone else faints

Position the person on his or her back. If there are no injuries and the person is breathing, raise the person's legs above heart level — about 12 inches (30 centimeters) — if possible. Loosen belts, collars or other constrictive clothing.
To reduce the chance of fainting again, don't get the person up too quickly. If the person doesn't regain consciousness within one minute, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Check for breathing. If the person isn't breathing, begin CPR. Call 911 or your local emergency number. Continue CPR until help arrives or the person begins to breathe.

If the person was injured in a fall associated with a faint, treat bumps, bruises or cuts appropriately. Control bleeding with direct pressure.

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Feb. 16, 2021

Fainting. American College of Emergency Physicians. http://www.emergencycareforyou.org/EmergencyManual/WhatToDoInMedicalEmergency/Default.aspx?id=240. Accessed Oct. 1, 2014.
Syncope. The Merck Manual Professional Edition. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/cardiovascular_disorders/symptoms_of_cardiovascular_disorders/syncope.html#v1144991. Accessed Oct. 2, 2014.
First Aid/CPR/AED participant's manual. American Red Cross. http://editiondigital.net/publication/?i=64159. Accessed Oct. 2, 2014.

How to Manage Patients Who Pass Out

Knowing how to prevent fainting during a phlebotomy procedure is critical

When a patient passes out during a venipuncture procedure, this post details exactly what to do and what not to do.

by Dennis Ernst • July 19, 2021

Technical, Safety

Anyone who draws blood samples sooner or later has a patient pass out during or following the procedure. How do you react? How can you prevent it? Patients have become paralyzed by those who didn't know. Don't be one of them.

Those who draw blood specimens must constantly be aware of the signs and symptoms of an impending loss of consciousness and be prepared to react. Signs can include pallor, perspiration, hyperventilation and/or anxiety. A proper response to such signs is key to protecting the patient from falling and the injuries that can result. However, collectors can prevent an injury before it happens if they take the following precautions:

make sure that all outpatients are drawn from chairs with arm rests that can stop a fainting patient from falling to the floor;
never draw a patient sitting upright on an exam table or in a chair without side armrests;
inpatients should be drawn while recumbent or sitting in arm chairs with arm rests, not upright on the side of the bed;
patients with a history of fainting during a blood draw should be drawn while they are in a recumbent position;
never turn your back on a patient, especially after you have completed the draw. Some patients give no warning before passing out.
do not get more than one step away from a seated patient while he/she is in your care. Should they pass out, you must be close enough to prevent a fall.
should a patient become dizzy or lose consciousness during a collection, release the tourniquet, remove the needle, and activate the safety feature at once. Presence of mind must be maintained so that you don’t sustain an accidental needlestick in the process.
if the patient loses consciousness, support him/her from falling to the floor and summon assistance. Lower the patient’s head below the level of the heart to facilitate blood flow to the brain. This can also be accomplished by carefully, and with assistance, lowering the patient’s head between the knees or by lowering the patient to the floor, being careful not to allow the patient to fall and sustain an injury.
avoid the use of ammonia inhalants. Patients who are asthmatic may develop respiratory distress as a result.

Statistics say 2.5 percent of patients will pass out during or immediately after a blood draw. Being prepared significantly reduces the risk of injury and complications secondary to the loss of consciousness. If you ask if they've ever fainted during a blood draw, the rate goes up to 5.6%. Never mention "faint" or "pass out." The power of suggestion just might make it a reality. Instead, ask patients if they've ever "had problems" with prior blood draws. If they respond affirmatively, explore the nature of the incidents and react appropriately.

Preventing fainting episodes are just as important as knowing what to do when it happens. It's never unexpected by those who are well prepared.

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faint fainting lose consciousness outpatient pass out YouTube

22 Comments

How to Manage Patients who pass out

I had no idea that a fainting Patient could become paralyzed. Very interesting reading.

Dennis Ernst, 08/02/2021 18:02:22

How to manage patients who pass out

The information was on point, because it happens to me more often then not. Thanks.

Dennis Ernst, 08/06/2021 08:33:25

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What do you do if someone faints during venipuncture?

If a patient faints during the venipuncture, immediately abort the procedure by gently removing the tourniquet and needle from the patient's arm, applying gauze and pressure to the skin puncture site, and calling for assistance.

How do you prevent a patient from fainting when getting blood drawn?

Some people will even faint. The next time you have your blood drawn, try relaxation techniques like deep breathing or visualization to help you feel calm. Close your eyes and pretend you're on a sandy beach or somewhere else relaxing.

Why do some people faint when getting blood drawn?

However, some people with a fear of blood or needles experience an initial increase and then a sudden drop in their blood pressure, which can result in fainting. This drop in blood pressure is called the vasovagal response.

What patient position is preferred when drawing blood if the patient has a history of syncope?

For example, if you faint while blood is being drawn, you may be instructed to lie down during the procedure. If you have a feeling that you will pass out during any activity, you should immediately lie down and elevate your legs.