MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia:Complete blood count

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Complete blood count - series: Procedure

Complete blood count - series
Illustrations:

Indication

Procedure

Results, part 1

Results, part 2

A CBC requires a small blood specimen. Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.

Preparation: The skin should be cleaned with alcohol or iodine before the test. The patient should be seated comfortably or reclining.

How the test will feel:

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. After the blood is drawn, there may be some throbbing.

Although the CBC test is very safe, any blood drawing has a slight risk of complication, including:

Oozing of blood from puncture site
Fainting or feeling lightheaded
Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
Multiple punctures to locate veins
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Update Date: 9/11/2006

Updated by: Corey Cutler, MD, MPH, FRCP(C), Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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