Which statement describes tourniquet use during venipuncture?

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Multiple Choice

Which statement describes tourniquet use during venipuncture?

During venipuncture, the tourniquet should be applied just long enough to make a vein visible and palpable. Keeping it on for only a brief moment helps you locate the vein without causing changes in the blood that can alter test results. Prolonged tourniquet time can cause hemoconcentration, which can falsely elevate certain components in the blood and make the sample less accurate, and it also increases patient discomfort and the risk of vein irritation or collapse. Release the tourniquet before inserting the needle so normal blood flow resumes and the draw proceeds smoothly. Never place a tourniquet around the neck—this is dangerous and inappropriate. Using the tourniquet briefly to locate a vein is the recommended approach.

During venipuncture, the tourniquet should be applied just long enough to make a vein visible and palpable. Keeping it on for only a brief moment helps you locate the vein without causing changes in the blood that can alter test results. Prolonged tourniquet time can cause hemoconcentration, which can falsely elevate certain components in the blood and make the sample less accurate, and it also increases patient discomfort and the risk of vein irritation or collapse. Release the tourniquet before inserting the needle so normal blood flow resumes and the draw proceeds smoothly. Never place a tourniquet around the neck—this is dangerous and inappropriate. Using the tourniquet briefly to locate a vein is the recommended approach.

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