After venipuncture, what is the recommended maximum duration for applying a tourniquet?

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Multiple Choice

After venipuncture, what is the recommended maximum duration for applying a tourniquet?

Explanation:
Keeping the tourniquet on for too long alters the blood sample by concentrating the blood in the veins (hemoconcentration). This can falsely raise levels of several analytes and proteins, and can affect hematology results, potentially leading to inaccurate test values. To minimize these changes and maximize patient comfort, the tourniquet should be released within one minute after venipuncture and once blood flow into the first tube is established. Longer durations, like two minutes, five minutes, or one and a half minutes, increase the risk of hemoconcentration and unreliable results, so they are not recommended.

Keeping the tourniquet on for too long alters the blood sample by concentrating the blood in the veins (hemoconcentration). This can falsely raise levels of several analytes and proteins, and can affect hematology results, potentially leading to inaccurate test values. To minimize these changes and maximize patient comfort, the tourniquet should be released within one minute after venipuncture and once blood flow into the first tube is established. Longer durations, like two minutes, five minutes, or one and a half minutes, increase the risk of hemoconcentration and unreliable results, so they are not recommended.

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