Master the Intensive Care Medicine Challenge 2026 – Elevate Your Expertise and Save Lives!

The choice of the median cubital vein on the left upper extremity is the most appropriate option for drawing blood from a patient with a complete right-sided mastectomy. This consideration arises from the need to avoid complications that can arise from accessing the right arm.

Following a mastectomy, especially when lymph nodes are removed, there is a risk of lymphedema in the corresponding arm. Blood draws from the affected arm can increase the likelihood of complications such as infections or fluid retention in the tissue. Therefore, utilizing the left upper extremity, particularly the median cubital vein, minimizes these risks while still allowing for an effective and safe method of venipuncture.

Drawing blood from the right upper extremity—whether from the median cubital vein or the cephalic vein—would not be advisable due to the potential for lymphedema and other complications post-mastectomy, highlighting the importance of understanding the implications of surgical history on venous access.