Sometimes we need to have blood drawn for health check-ups. The process of drawing blood for testing is called venipuncture. So how does the blood drawing process work, and why is blood drawn from a vein and not an artery?
Blood collection process
First, let's learn about veins and arteries.
Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body, mostly oxygen-rich blood. There are two exceptions when arteries carry oxygen-poor blood. The first is the pulmonary artery, which carries blood from the heart to the lungs, and the second is the umbilical artery, which carries blood from the fetus to the placenta.
Veins are blood vessels that carry blood from the body back to the heart, so they are mostly oxygen-poor blood. However, the pulmonary and umbilical veins carry oxygen-rich blood. Veins also have valves to prevent backflow and have less muscle than arteries.
Venous blood can be used for many purposes such as intravenous therapy, blood testing, and diagnosis.
It is important to prepare all necessary supplies before starting the venipuncture procedure, including the blood collection needle, tourniquet, specimen collection tube, hand sanitizer, alcohol swabs, bandages, gauze, and blood transfusion equipment.
First, the patient straightens the arm, the tourniquet is tied 7-10cm above the needle site. The health care provider needs to identify a vein. In adults, the most common is the mid-cubital vein, a large blood vessel that makes blood collection easier and will also give good results if the blood is drawn correctly.
Why take blood from a vein and not from an artery?
Physically, veins are relatively easier to draw blood from because they are close to the skin surface. Meanwhile, arteries are located deeper below, so drawing blood is more difficult and painful for the patient.
Additionally, the pressure in a vein is lower than in an artery, so the chance of blood flowing back out before the wound heals is lower.
Discover simple steps to check your Microsoft Teams version history and build number on desktop, web, and mobile. Stay updated with the latest features and fixes effortlessly. Perfect for IT pros and everyday users.
Tired of Microsoft Teams "Uninstall Error" Stuck? Discover proven, step-by-step fixes to completely remove Teams from your PC. Works on latest Windows versions – no tech skills needed!
Facing the frustrating Microsoft Teams "Where is My Team?" error? Discover step-by-step troubleshooting tips, common causes, and quick fixes to resolve it instantly and resume seamless collaboration. Updated with the latest solutions.
Tired of Microsoft Teams VDI errors crashing your virtual machine calls? Get step-by-step fixes for audio glitches, video freezes, and optimization issues on Citrix, VMware, or RDP setups. Boost productivity now!
Struggling with Microsoft Teams Error AADSTS70011? Discover step-by-step fixes for invalid scope errors, clear cache tips, and quick authentication resets to get back to seamless collaboration in minutes. Updated with latest Teams patches.
Stuck with Microsoft Teams unknown error "Something Went Wrong"? Discover quick, effective troubleshooting steps to resolve it instantly. Updated with the latest fixes for seamless collaboration.
Is Microsoft Teams download not working on your PC? Discover proven fixes for installation errors, slow downloads, and crashes. Get Teams running smoothly in minutes with our step-by-step guide.
Tired of the frustrating Microsoft Teams Wiki Tab Missing error? Follow our proven, step-by-step guide to restore your Wiki tab instantly and boost team collaboration without hassle.
Tired of Microsoft Teams chat messages failing to send? Follow our expert, step-by-step guide to fix the "Failed to Send" error quickly and get back to productive chats without frustration. Proven solutions for all users.
Tired of Microsoft Teams "How Update" Error 2026 blocking your updates? Follow our proven, step-by-step solutions to resolve it fast and restore smooth teamwork. Works for latest Teams versions!
Discover how to use Microsoft Teams for business with this complete guide. Learn setup, meetings, collaboration, and pro tips to supercharge your workflow and team efficiency.
Master how to record a Microsoft Teams meeting with this simple step-by-step guide. Capture every detail effortlessly—perfect for work, training, or reviews. Updated for the latest features.
Struggling with Microsoft Teams 'OneDrive Error' syncing issues? Discover proven, step-by-step troubleshooting tips to resolve OneDrive sync errors in Teams quickly and restore seamless collaboration. Updated with the latest fixes.
Tired of Microsoft Teams password error blocking your work? Master solving Microsoft Teams "Password Error" recovery with proven, step-by-step fixes. Regain access fast and frustration-free!
Struggling with Microsoft Teams installation errors on Windows 11? Get step-by-step fixes for common issues like 0x80070005, 80070422, and more. Quick, effective troubleshooting to get you back to collaborating seamlessly.
