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

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.