Blood culture

Alternative names:

culture - blood

What the risks are:

There may be some bruising at the site of the venipuncture.

Special considerations:

Bacteremia is generally intermittent, so a series of 3 blood cultures may be performed before a negative result is confirmed.

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.