Venipuncture: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Venipuncture?
Your primary care doctor or a specialist, a doctor trained in one area of medicine, can order a blood test that uses venipuncture. A phlebotomist, a lab professional, usually takes the blood. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing. It is also called a blood draw or phlebotomy. Venipuncture is the most common way to do a blood test.
A finger prick test uses a small amount of blood from your fingertip. A heel stick test is most often done on newborns. An arterial blood test takes blood from an artery instead of a vein. Here, venipuncture means a blood draw from a vein only.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Venipuncture collects the blood for blood tests. Doctors use blood tests in these ways.
- To help diagnose certain diseases and conditions
- To monitor a long-lasting disease such as diabetes or high cholesterol
- To find out if a treatment is working
- To check how well organs such as the liver, kidneys, heart, and thyroid are working
How to prepare
Many tests do not require special preparation. For some tests, you may need to fast, which means not eating or drinking for several hours. In some cases, your provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicines before the test or if you need to be fasting. Do not stop or change your medicines without talking to your provider first. Tell your provider about everything you take.
If you are worried about needles, tell the healthcare professional doing your blood test. They can help you feel more comfortable, and you can bring someone with you for support.
What happens during it
Most of the time, blood is drawn from a vein on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The steps are as follows.
- The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine, called an antiseptic.
- An elastic band is put around the upper arm, which makes the vein below it swell with blood.
- A needle is inserted into a vein.
- The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle.
- The elastic band is removed from your arm.
- The needle is taken out and the spot is covered with a bandage to stop bleeding.
You may feel slight pain or a sting when the needle is inserted. It usually takes less than five minutes.
Recovery
You may also feel some throbbing at the site after the blood is drawn. After the test, you will usually be given some cotton wool or a plaster to cover the area where the blood was taken. You may get some bruising or swelling there, but this should go away after a few days.
You may get your blood test results after a few days, and usually within a few weeks.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have bleeding that will not stop, trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, or fainting.
Risks and side effects
There is very little risk to having venipuncture. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Who performs it
A phlebotomist, a lab professional, usually takes the blood from a vein.
Common questions
Does a blood draw hurt?
Yes, you may feel slight pain or a sting when the needle is inserted. Some people also feel throbbing at the site afterward.
Do I need to fast before a blood draw?
Only some blood tests need fasting, which means not eating or drinking for several hours. You do not need any special preparation for most blood tests.
Can a blood draw cause bruising?
Yes, you may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in. Most symptoms go away quickly.
When will I get my blood test results?
You may get your results after a few days, and usually within a few weeks.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Venipuncture
- MedlinePlus - What You Need to Know About Blood Testing
- NHS - Blood tests
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
