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NCLEX · Safety and Infection Control

The nurse is preparing to perform venipuncture on a patient. Which action is done LAST in the preparation sequence?

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Correct answer

Don gloves

  1. A Cleanse the site with alcohol and let it dry
  2. B Don gloves
  3. C Apply the tourniquet
  4. D Select the vein site

Why this is the answer

Venipuncture preparation sequence: (1) Explain the procedure to the patient; (2) Gather supplies; (3) Position the arm; (4) APPLY TOURNIQUET (3-4 inches above proposed site); (5) SELECT the vein (palpate for resilience, direction); (6) RELEASE TOURNIQUET temporarily if taking more than 1 minute; (7) DON GLOVES (must be on before skin contact for blood exposure risk); (8) REAPPLY TOURNIQUET; (9) CLEANSE SITE with alcohol swab, using friction, for 30 seconds; (10) LET DRY (30 seconds — wet alcohol increases infection risk and stings); (11) PERFORM venipuncture. The key exam point: gloves go on BEFORE cleansing, not after. Cleansing a site with bare hands violates blood exposure precautions. Some questions ask which step is last — letting the alcohol dry completely is the final prep step before puncture.

Source: NCLEX-PN, Venipuncture Preparation Sequence

Practice more questions

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About this topic: Safety and Infection Control

Safety and infection control questions cover Standard and transmission-based precautions, hand hygiene, fall and injury prevention, restraints, fire safety and handling hazardous materials. This is one of 35 PN: Coordinated Care questions on safety and infection control, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our NCLEX exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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