What is the purpose of the tourniquet and when should it be removed?

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The tourniquet is used to slow venous return so veins fill with blood and become easier to see and palpate, helping you locate a suitable vein and guide the needle reliably. It should be removed as soon as blood flow is established, usually after you see blood entering the first collection tube. Keeping it on longer can cause hemoconcentration and affect test results, and it’s not used for things like measuring blood pressure or applying anesthesia.