How will my Blood test be performed?

Blood samples taken for Blood testing can be taken either from a vein or from an artery. A few drops of Blood are needed, most of the time. It is often enough to take a small drop from the tip of your finger and then squeeze the Blood out for Blood testing. Most Blood tests are taken from a vein (veins carry Blood FROM the heart - arteries carry Blood TO the heart,) most often from those veins near the elbow. First a tourniquet is tied around the upper arm to make the vein easy to find and take the Blood for the Blood test.

The place where the injection is to take place is then made sterile and then a hollow needle is put into the vein. The needle will be attached either to a Blood test sample bottle or to a syringe where the plunger is pulled back to create low negative pressure. When the needed amount of Blood for testing has been removed from the vein, the needle is removed. The area is then re-cleaned and pressure is placed on the area with a small ball of cotton. This is pressed against the area for a couple of minutes before applying a bandage. Blood tests are relatively painless.