Blood Draw Basics
This is the name of the professional trained to draw your blood.
Who is a phlebotomist?
This system transports your blood through veins and arteries.
What is the circulatory system?
Blood tests can measure this to screen for conditions like diabetes.
What is blood sugar (glucose)?
This item is used only once during a blood draw to prevent contamination.
What is a sterile needle?
The average adult has about this many liters of blood in their body.
What is about 5 liters?
This body part is most commonly used to draw blood because its veins are easy to access.
What is the arm (usually the inside of the elbow)?
During a blood draw, this part of your vessel is punctured to collect blood.
What is a vein?
These tests check for infections by detecting bacteria, viruses, or antibodies.
What are blood cultures or antibody tests?
Applying pressure after a blood draw helps prevent this.
What is bleeding or bruising?
A standard blood draw typically takes this small amount of blood from your body.
What is a few milliliters (usually less than 1% of your total blood)?
This stretchy band is placed around your arm to make veins easier to see.
What is a tourniquet?
This component of blood carries oxygen and gives blood its red color.
What are red blood cells?
Doctors monitor this organ’s function using enzymes like ALT and AST in blood tests. Hint: this organ processes things like caffeine and alcohol.
What is the liver?
Fasting before a blood test is sometimes required to ensure accurate measurement of this.
What are things like blood glucose or cholesterol levels?
Blood is made up of plasma, red cells, white cells, and these clotting components.
What are platelets?
Before inserting the needle, the site is cleaned with this to prevent infection.
What is an alcohol swab (antiseptic)?
Feeling lightheaded during a blood draw is often caused by this temporary drop in blood pressure.
What is a vasovagal response?
A CBC stands for this common test that measures different blood components.
What is a Complete Blood Count?
If a patient feels faint, they may be asked to lie down to prevent this risk.
What is falling or injury from fainting?
This blood type is known as the universal donor.
What is O negative?
The small tube your blood flows into during a draw is called this.
What is a collection vial (or test tube)?
The body quickly replaces the small amount of blood taken through what process?
What is blood cell production (hematopoiesis)?
Blood draws help detect this condition caused by low red blood cell levels.
What is anemia?
Gloves are worn during a blood draw to protect both the patient and the worker from this.
What is the spread of infection (or contamination)?
This liquid portion makes up over half of your blood and carries nutrients and waste.
What is plasma?