1. (a) A course in blood withdrawal for licensed vocational nurses shall be taught by an instructor approved as provided in Section 2544.3; shall have a maximum of 15 students for each instructor for clinical experience; and shall be at least six hours in length, including 3 hours theory and 3 hours clinical experience, including at least 3 individually supervised venipunctures on live human subjects and at least 3 individually supervised skin punctures on live human subjects. Arterial punctures are optional. The theory shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

   1. (1) The requirements contained in Section 2860.5(b) of the Code necessary for a nurse to perform blood withdrawal;
   2. (2) Psychological preparation of the patient;
   3. (3) Universal precautions for infection control;

   4. (4) Blood withdrawal;

      1. (A) Methods of blood withdrawal;

         1. 1. Skin puncture;
         2. 2. Venipuncture; and
         3. 3. Arterial puncture (optional).
      2. (B) Selection of appropriate method;
      3. (C) Safety measures;
      4. (D) Possible complications; and
      5. (E) Preparation of withdrawal sites.

2. (b) Blood withdrawal clinical experience must include:

   1. (1) Preparation of equipment for blood withdrawal;
   2. (2) Safety factors;
   3. (3) Choice of withdrawal site;
   4. (4) Choice of artery (optional);
   5. (5) Choice of device for blood withdrawal;
   6. (6) Techniques of venipuncture;
   7. (7) Techniques of arterial puncture (optional);

   8. (8) Skin puncture practice must include instruction in:

      1. (A) Preparation of site; and
      2. (B) Preparation of equipment.
   9. (9) Universal precautions for infection control.

Note: Authority cited: Section 2854, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 2860.5, Business and Professions Code.

History

1. Amendment and new subsection (c) filed 1-11-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 2).

2. Amendment filed 11-16-83; effective upon filing pursuant to Government Code Section 11346.2(d) (Register 83, No. 47).

3. New subsection (a)(7) and subsection renumbering filed 7-24-96; operative 8-23-96 (Register 96, No. 30).

4. Amendment of section heading and section filed 5-4-2007; operative 6-3-2007 (Register 2007, No. 18).