Question

A ________ is applied to the skin 30 to 60 seconds before the blood draw to prevent infection at the puncture site.

A) Tourniquet
B) Antiseptic
C) EMLA cream
D) Gauze pad

Answer 1

An antiseptic is used before a blood draw to prevent infection at the puncture site. It is applied to living tissues and is different from disinfectants, which are for non-living objects.

Step-by-step explanation:

An antiseptic is applied to the skin 30 to 60 seconds before the blood draw to prevent infection at the puncture site. Antiseptics are substances that are applied to living tissues/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction. They are different from disinfectants, which are used on non-living objects. EMLA cream is an anesthetic cream, a tourniquet is a device used to apply pressure to a limb or extremity to limit but not stop the flow of blood, and a gauze pad is used to absorb blood or other fluids as well as protect a wound from infection, but not for initial microbial control.