Why is venipuncture performed?

Venipuncture is performed primarily to withdraw blood for testing purposes. This procedure involves puncturing a vein with a needle to collect a blood sample that can be analyzed in a laboratory. The analysis of blood samples is essential for diagnosing medical conditions, monitoring health status, and guiding treatment decisions. Blood tests can provide valuable information about a variety of factors, such as blood cell counts, organ function, and the presence of infections or diseases.

While venipuncture can lead to the administration of medications intravenously, the primary intent of the procedure is to collect blood rather than administer treatments. Additionally, vaccines are typically given intramuscularly or subcutaneously, not through venipuncture, and monitoring blood pressure does not require blood withdrawal, as it is measured non-invasively with a sphygmomanometer. Thus, the correct reasoning for why venipuncture is performed centers on its role in blood collection for testing.