Final answer:
The best choice of equipment for drawing a small hand vein is the 23-gauge straight needle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best choice of equipment for drawing a small hand vein is the 23-gauge straight needle. This needle is thin enough to minimize discomfort for the patient but still large enough to effectively access the vein. The butterfly needle, while commonly used for small veins, is not ideal in this case because a straight needle provides more control and stability when inserting into a hand vein.