ASCP Phlebotomy Technician Certification Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Study Guide for Success!

When dealing with obese patients during the specimen collection process, using a large blood pressure cuff is particularly helpful. This is because a standard-sized cuff may not adequately compress the tissue in larger individuals, making it difficult to locate the veins and can lead to inaccurate readings or inadequate venous pressure. A larger cuff provides a more appropriate pressure for the patient’s size, helping to engorge the veins and make them more visible and easier to palpate.

This aids greatly in finding suitable venipuncture sites, thus enhancing the overall efficiency and comfort of the blood collection process. The use of alternative methods or equipment, such as a standard-sized tourniquet, might not provide the same level of effectiveness for pressure application on larger areas, and using a small blood pressure cuff would not be suitable due to the same issues. An ultrasound device may assist in locating veins if there are significant challenges, but it is not considered standard equipment for routine specimen collection in obese patients.