[Expert Solution]: A phlebotomist had an order to collect STAT…

A phlebotomist had an order to collect STAT ABG and electrolyte specimens from a patient in the ICU. The patient was having difficulty breathing when the phlebotomist arrived. There was an IV in the patient’s right arm, so the phlebotomist performed the Allen test on the left arm. The test result was positive, so the phlebotomist proceeded to collect the specimen from the radial artery of that arm. He had to redirect the needle several times before dark bluish-red blood finally pulsed into the syringe. When the syringe was filled to the proper level, he withdrew the needle and held pressure over the site. As he was attempting to cap the syringe, the cap dropped into the patient’s bed covers, so the phlebotomist asked the patient to hold pressure while he retrieved it. Later, when he went to check the arm, a large hematoma had formed at the collection site. When he checked the patient’s pulse below the collection site, it was so weak he could barely feel it. Questions 1.What could have caused the weak pulse and what should the phlebotomist do about it? 2.What error did the phlebotomist make that contributed to hematoma formation? 3.What would cause the specimen to be bluish red? 4.How can the phlebotomist be certain that the specimen is arterial blood?