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Venipuncture

Updated: 9/27/2023
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13y ago

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Definition

Venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein, usually for laboratory testing.

Alternative Names

Blood-draw; Phlebotomy

How the test is performed

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.

Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

How to prepare for the test

How you prepare depends on the specific blood test you are having done. Many tests do not require any special preparation. Other times, you may be told to avoid food or drinks or limit certain medications before the test.

How the test will 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 the test is performed

Blood is made up of two parts:

  • Fluid (plasma or serum)
  • Cells

Plasma contains various substances. Serum is the fluid part that remains after the blood is allowed to clot in a test tube. Specifically, serum is the fluid part of blood after a substance called fibrinogenhas been removed.

Cells in the blood include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Blood helps move oxygen, nutrients, waste products, and other materials through the body. It helps control body temperature, fluid balance, and the body's acid-base balance.

Tests on blood or parts of blood may give your doctor important clues about your health.

Normal Values

Normal results vary with the specific test.

What abnormal results mean

Abnormal results vary with the specific test.

What the risks are

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling light-headed
  • Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
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Wiki User

13y ago
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User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
Definition

Venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein, usually for laboratory testing.

Alternative Names

Blood-draw; Phlebotomy

How the test is performed

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.

Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

How to prepare for the test

How you prepare depends on the specific blood test you are having done. Many tests do not require any special preparation. Other times, you may be told to avoid food or drinks or limit certain medications before the test.

How the test will 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 the test is performed

Blood is made up of two parts:

  • Fluid (plasma or serum)
  • Cells

Plasma contains various substances including glucose, electrolytes, proteins, and water. Serum is the fluid part that remains after the blood is allowed to clot in a test tube. Specifically, serum is the fluid part of blood after a substance called fibrinogen has been removed by clotting.

Cells in the blood include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Blood helps move oxygen, nutrients, waste products, and other materials through the body. It helps control body temperature, fluid balance, and the body's acid-base balance.

Tests on blood or parts of blood may give your doctor important clues about your health.

Normal Values

Normal results vary with the specific test.

What abnormal results mean

Abnormal results vary with the specific test.

What the risks are

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling light-headed
  • Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Reviewed By

Review Date: 08/31/2011

A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine (5/30/2011).

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What is the condition called if the venipuncture site is swollen?

management information system report


Why is venipuncture cleansing done?

To prevent, if possible, inserting microbes into the sterile body.


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What is the medical term meaning removing blood from the body?

PHLEBOTOMY from the word phlebo- meaning vein and -tomy meaning incison, cutting, excision as in appendectomy when used to define drawing blood for the purpose of sending it for a lab work-up. or VENEPUNCTURE (also spelt venipuncture) self explanatory as is BLOODLETTING-more correct use when in the context of treatment for certain conditions (as for example an iron-overload condition called Hemochromatosis) where considerable quantities may need to be removed over a period of time.


Karyotyping?

DefinitionKaryotyping is a test to examine chromosomes in a sample of cells, which can help identify genetic problems as the cause of a disorder or disease. This test can:Count the number of chromosomesLook for structural changes in chromosomesAlternative NamesChromosome analysisHow the test is performedThe test can be performed on almost any tissue, including:Amniotic fluidBloodBone marrowTissue from the organ that develops during pregnancy to feed a growing baby (placenta)To test amniotic fluid, an amniocentesis is done.A bone marrow specimen requires a bone marrow biopsy.The sample is placed into a special dish and allowed to grow in the laboratory. Cells are later taken from the growing sample and stained. The laboratory specialist uses a microscope to examine the size, shape, and number of chromosomes in the cell sample. The stained sample is photographed to provide a karyotype, which shows the arrangement of the chromosomes.Certain abnormalities can be identified through the number or arrangement of the chromosomes. Chromosomes contain thousands of genes that are stored in DNA, the basic genetic material.How to prepare for the testThere is no special preparation needed.How the test will feelHow the test will feel depends on whether the sample procedure is having blood drawn (venipuncture), amniocentesis, or bone marrow biopsy.Why the test is performedThis test is usually done to evaluate a couple with a history of miscarriages, or to examine any child or baby who has unusual features or developmental delays that suggest a genetic abnormality.The bone marrow or blood test can be done to identify the Philadelphia chromosome, which is found in about 85% of people with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).The amniotic fluid test is done to check a developing fetus for chromosome abnormalities.Normal ValuesFemales: 44 autosomes and 2 sex chromosomes (XX), written as 46, XXMales: 44 autosomes and 2 sex chromosomes (XY), written as 46, XYWhat abnormal results meanAbnormal results may be due to a genetic syndrome or condition, such as:Down syndromeKlinefelter syndromePhiladelphia chromosomeTrisomy 18Turner syndromeThis list is not all-inclusive.Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:Ambiguous genitaliaChronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) or other leukemiasDevelopmental delaysMultiple birth defectsWhat the risks areThe risks are related to the procedure used to obtain the specimen.See:AmniocentesisBone marrow biopsyChorionic villus samplingVenipunctureIn some cases, an abnormality may occur as the cells as growing in the lab dish. Karyotype tests should be repeated to confirm that an abnormal chromosome problem is actually in the body of the patient.Special considerationsChemotherapy may cause chromosome breaks that affect normal karotyping results.See also: MosaicismYour doctor may also order other tests that go together with a karyotype:Telomere studies -- look at the ends of the chromosomesMicroarray -- looks at small changes in the chromosomesFluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) -- looks for small mistakes such as deletions in the chromosomes