Quick answer

Syncope can happen to anyone, so prepare before every draw. In short: ask; watch; stop, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

Ask before you start whether the patient has fainted during a draw before; if so, have them lie down.
Watch for warning signs: pale skin, sweating, yawning or saying they feel lightheaded.
Stop immediately: remove the tourniquet and needle and apply pressure.
Lower the patient’s head and protect them from falling; never leave them alone.
Loosen tight clothing and apply a cool compress to the forehead or back of the neck.
Call for nursing or medical help per your facility’s procedure.
Document the incident and keep the patient seated until they are fully recovered.

Safety reminders for phlebotomists

Follow OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and treat every sample as potentially infectious
Use safety-engineered needles and dispose of sharps immediately
Report needlestick injuries right away so post-exposure care can begin
Label specimens at the bedside. Never pre-label tubes

Venipuncture · Antecubital fossa · Order of draw · Evacuated tube · EDTA (lavender top) · Hemolysis: see the full phlebotomist glossary.