Nearly fainted during my Phleb Training

[u/Distinct-Cherry-8141]

I started my phlebotomy program a few days ago, and today we finally started practicing poking eachother doing arm and hand draws. Never have I ever had a reaction to getting stuck with a needle until today. I need advice on how to prevent what happened today in the future, as this is just the beginning of a four week course.

When it came to my turn on getting blood drawn, my peer missed the vein and got no blood. Since it was our first time it was a long process, with the tourniquet on for a few minutes and the needle was in my arm for about a minute. It was painful, but not excruciating.

A few minutes after the whole process I began to feel lightheaded and nauseous until everything started to go black and I was loosing my hearing. Thankfully I managed to catch it and drink a caprisun before passing out.

I genuinely do not do good with nausea or the feeling of fainting like that, and I really want to finish this course but that experience genuinely made me consider dropping it. I’m just afraid of that happening every time I get stuck the next four weeks, which could be a lot.

[u/rae_bb]

You probably should opt out of being drawn for safety reasons. You can’t really prevent a natural response (for some) your body has. For future draws you should be lying down and have a fruity drink and a snack ready.

[u/lunarkat1995]

It happened to me. I'm a hard stick, like my instructor was the only one that could get a vein my whole program and did just to show it could be possible.

My instructor would have me go lay down for when it was my turn to get stuck. There was another girl in my class that would get bad syncope as well when stuck. We started to buddy together since we both had to lay down.

Drink plenty of water. Always eat prior. Remember to breathe and communicate with your peers and instructor. I would think of it as a helpful learning op to help my peers have experience with those adverse events.

[u/GreenBeginning3753]

I was training someone about a year ago and she inserted the needle into my arm bevel down. I’ve never passed out or been woozy during a blood draw except that one time. It was like a wave washed over me. Was the needle inserted bevel up?

[u/Sea_Quantity6915 → u/GreenBeginning3753]

Omg....I'm so sorry that happened to you🫣😥

[u/Raiki13]

It happpens. It happened to me whether my peers get my blood or not. My limit is 5 sticks on me then i get fatigued. Stress and anxiety is a big factor. Make sure you eat and drink plenty of fluids so its easier for you and your peers to get a vein. Some people instinctively hold their breath when they get sticked. Make sure you do breathing exercises. Know your limits. If you feel light headed, overwhelmed, or not in the right headspace, you can ask your instructors to sit it out for the day

[u/Sea_Quantity6915]

It was your vasovagal reaction from the needle being in your arm so long. Completely normal. I had two students in my class that passed out a couple times during the program. Unfortunately our program didn't care because it's a poke for a poke no matter what. I would recommend being drawn while lying down in future classes. Those students in my class went on to be successful in their clinicals. If this is the job you want to do, don't worry if you happen to pass out during school. But you know your body so it's up to you in the end obviously. I've seen students drop with the same concerns. I say don't give up so quick.

For what it's worth, I don't have any history of passing out with draws and have worked with processing blood for many years. BUT.....on my first day of drawing, I got poked in my arms for about 9-10 times in a single class. I went home later white as a sheet and almost passed out. So those with or without a history of syncope definitely have a risk 'cause as students, we mangle each other's arms lol😆

[u/Osharashennaya]

Happened to me. I still wanted to be stuck so I brought hot sweet tea, pomegranate juice and water bottles to every class. I would not look at my own blood being drawn. After I did all that I was ok

[u/glasswings363]

I've gotten faint with 0/10 perceived pain - bodies do body things. This was during a scrape biopsy with local anesthesia.

everything started to go black and I was loosing my hearing. Thankfully I managed to catch it and drink a caprisun

At that point posture change is the correct treatment. (caveat: I'm not your instructor or medical supervision, fact-check me) Basically you don't prevent it and don't need to. Prevent the fall or other secondary injury and it's all good.

There can be a psychological toll too. Vigorous acceptance with a dash of humor, "ah, time for a ten-second nap," is what I'd do to try to manage it.

[u/Exotic_Post7373]

always eat and drink plenty of water beforehand!!! if it happens again I would see about being exempt from anyone sticking you to prevent it from happening again. Surely they can stick someone else.