Step 15: Wrap a tourniquet above the vein

Guidelines:

• A tourniquet is a stretchy band that is used to block the vein but not the artery.
• The tourniquet causes blood to back up in the vein, making the vein larger and easier to find.
• The tourniquet should be placed about three inches above the spot where you will stick the needle.

Figure 4-17  Putting on the tourniquet and feeling for a pulse.