NHCO Order of Draw Practice Test

Trauma in phlebotomy means underlying tissue injury caused by the needle probing during venipuncture. This focuses on the mechanical damage the needle can cause as it enters and moves through tissue. Bruising can occur as a result, but it’s a visible consequence rather than the definition of trauma itself. Inflammation of a vein (phlebitis) and a blood clot (thrombosis) are separate issues, not the basic idea of tissue injury from the puncture. To reduce trauma, use proper technique, stabilize the arm, anchor the vein, insert with the bevel up, and use the smallest appropriate needle with minimal probing.