Blood draw

During a blood draw, a small sample of your blood is taken from a vein in your arm.

First, the person taking your blood cleans your skin. Then, they put a band called a "tourniquet" around your upper arm. This makes it easier to find your vein. Next, they insert a needle with a tube attached to it into your vein. Blood collects in the tube. They remove the tourniquet and needle, put pressure on the area with a piece of gauze, and bandage your arm.