What is Venipuncture?
Venipuncture is the collection of blood specimen from a vein, usually for laboratory testing. How is the test performed? Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and an elastic band or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the elastic band to fill with blood. A sterile needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding. How will the test feel? When the needle is inserted to draw blood, you may feel moderate pain, or only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing. Why is the test performed? Blood is the mode of transportation for oxygen,
Venipuncture is the method by which blood is drawn in most cases, and it may also be called phlebotomy or a blood draw. It refers to using a needle to pierce the skin and to access a vein so that a small amount of blood can be removed for various studies. Most people will experience venipuncture at some time in their lives, to either test for disease or to evaluate the various elements in blood that might indicate poor health. The majority of adults will have blood drawn from the inside of the elbow, where the phlebotomist or other medical technician or specialist can access the median cubital vein. The standard method is to insert a needle through the skin and into this vein, which may first be slightly enlarged by using a tourniquet for a minute. Blood is then usually extracted by using a special vacuum tube that will hold the blood until it has various tests performed on it. Since people may require several tests from a single venipuncture, more than one vacuum tube may be used to c
