Arterial stick

Alternative names:

blood sample - arterial

What the risks are:

• fainting or feeling lightheaded
• bruising
• excessive bleeding
• hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

There is a slight risk of damage to surrounding tissues while the blood is obtained. Specimens are also obtained from lower risk sites, and techniques are used to minimize tissue damage.

Special considerations:

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. If blood is easier to obtain from a particular location or side, it is helpful to let the person drawing the blood know before starting the test.