What is a potential complication of leaving a tourniquet on too long?

• A. Hemoconcentration and distorted test results, plus patient discomfort.
• B. Decreased blood flow and improved accuracy.
• C. Faster specimen collection.
• D. None of the above.

Answer: (A)

Prolonged tourniquet time leads to hemoconcentration: the blood sample becomes more concentrated as plasma is squeezed out of the vessels under the pressure. The tourniquet blocks venous return, causing pooling and a relative loss of plasma in the drawn sample, which can falsely elevate many analyte levels and distort overall test results. It also causes patient discomfort from the tight, sustained pressure and can lead to tissue irritation or numbness. Because of these issues, keeping the tourniquet on for too long does not improve speed or accuracy; instead, it can worsen results.