What is the effect of using a large bore needle for blood collection?

Using a large bore needle for blood collection can indeed cause hemolysis of the sample. Hemolysis occurs when red blood cells are broken down, which can happen if the blood is drawn too forcefully or if the needle is too large for the vessel, creating a high-pressure situation. The resulting hemolyzed sample can interfere with various laboratory tests, leading to inaccurate results.

While a larger bore needle can facilitate a faster blood draw and may be less painful under certain conditions, these outcomes are not guaranteed. The primary concern with using a needle that is too large, especially for certain types of veins, is the potential for damaging the blood cells during the collection process, which highlights the significance of selecting the appropriate needle size for the patient's specific situation.