Where should blood be drawn on a patient who has had a right side mastectomy and lymph node removal?

In cases where a patient has undergone a mastectomy, especially with lymph node removal on the affected side, it is crucial to avoid using that side for blood draws. This is due to the increased risk of complications such as lymphedema, an accumulation of lymph fluid due to the disrupted lymphatic system.

Drawing blood from the left antecubital fossa is the safest option as it is on the opposite side of the surgical site. This ensures that the area of compromised lymphatic drainage is not strained or further damaged. Using the left side for the blood draw minimizes the risk of complications associated with the right side where surgery was performed.

While drawing from the right antecubital fossa and the right hand involves using the compromised side, and the left forearm might not always be as accessible or suitable depending on the patient’s anatomy and vein visibility, the left antecubital fossa remains the most appropriate site. Thus, this choice ensures patient safety and adherence to best practices in phlebotomy.