Word parts
ven/o veinpuncture to pierce
What it means
The skill of entering a vein through the skin. It is done to collect blood samples or to place an IV catheter. A tourniquet is tied above the site to fill the vein, the skin is cleaned, and the needle goes in at a low angle with the bevel up. Veins in the inner elbow and forearm are used most often.
For the nurse
Do not draw from an arm with an IV running (the fluid changes the results), an arm with a dialysis fistula, or the arm on the side of a mastectomy or lymph node removal. Leave the tourniquet on no longer than about 1 minute, and press on the site afterward, longer for clients on anticoagulants.
At a glance
| Spanish | venopunción |
|---|---|
| Also written | venipunctures |