a. Immediate local complication

1. Hemoconcentration – increase in the number of

formed elements in blood resulting either from a

decrease or increase in plasma volume

2. Failure of blood to enter the syringe/vacutainer tube

3. Syncope (fainting) – transient loss of consciousness

due to lack of oxygen in the brain

- if seated patient feels faint, the needle should be

removed immediately, the patient’s head should

be lowered between the legs, and the patient

should be instructed to breathe deeply

.

b. Late local complication

1. Thrombosis – an abnormal vascular condition in which

thrombus develops within a blood vessel of the body

2.Thrombophlebitis – is an inflammation of a vein accompanied

by a clot which occurs as a result of trauma to the vessel wall

c. Late general complication

1. Serum hepatitis

2. AIDS