Which term refers to the act of entering the skin with a needle to draw blood?

Which term refers to the act of entering the skin with a needle to draw blood?

• A. Venipuncture
• B. Phlebotomy
• C. Antecubital
• D. Mi

Answer: (A)

Puncturing a vein with a needle to obtain a blood sample is called venipuncture. It describes the exact procedure of entering the skin and accessing the vein to draw blood. Phlebotomy is the broader practice of drawing blood and includes venipuncture as one of its techniques, but it isn’t the specific act of needle insertion itself. Antecubital refers to the inner elbow area where venipuncture is often performed, not the act of drawing blood. The remaining option isn’t a relevant medical term for this action. In practice, a phlebotomist or clinician cleans the site, inserts a needle into a vein, and collects the blood—this specific step is venipuncture.

Puncturing a vein with a needle to obtain a blood sample is called venipuncture. It describes the exact procedure of entering the skin and accessing the vein to draw blood. Phlebotomy is the broader practice of drawing blood and includes venipuncture as one of its techniques, but it isn’t the specific act of needle insertion itself. Antecubital refers to the inner elbow area where venipuncture is often performed, not the act of drawing blood. The remaining option isn’t a relevant medical term for this action. In practice, a phlebotomist or clinician cleans the site, inserts a needle into a vein, and collects the blood—this specific step is venipuncture.