Blood Alcohol: How It Is Done


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How It Is Done


The health professional drawing blood will:

  • Wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop the flow of blood. This makes the veins below the band larger so it is easier to put a needle into the vein.
  • Clean the needle site with a non-alcohol solution such as povidone-iodine or antiseptic soap.
  • Put the needle into the vein. More than one needle stick may be needed.
  • Attach a tube to the needle to fill it with blood.
  • Remove the band from your arm when enough blood is collected.
  • Put a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed.
  • Put pressure on the site and then put on a bandage.
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Last updated: June 23, 2006
Author: Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Reviewed By: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology
Editors: Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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