Final answer:
Blood should be collected into the proper containers after releasing the tourniquet post-venipuncture, with the use of anticoagulants for plasma extraction or clotting for serum extraction, depending on the purpose of the blood draw.
Step-by-step explanation:
After a venipuncture is made and the tourniquet is released, blood should be collected into appropriate containers, such as tubes with specific additives or into a blood bag, depending on the purpose of the blood draw. For medical analysis, blood is often collected in tubes that contain anticoagulants like lithium heparin or EDTA to prevent clotting and allow for the preparation of plasma. These tubes are then centrifuged to separate the plasma from the cells. For collecting serum, the blood is allowed to clot in a glass tube and the serum is separated from the clot after about an hour. Phlebotomists ensure that blood collection is done with minimal discomfort and the risk of complications is reduced as much as possible by releasing the tourniquet and gently withdrawing the required amount of blood using the principle of capillary action.