When drawing blood, how long should the tourniquet be on the patient's arm?

The correct duration for keeping the tourniquet on a patient's arm while drawing blood is no longer than 1 minute. This time frame is important because prolonged application of a tourniquet can lead to several complications. For instance, if the tourniquet is left on too long, it can cause hemoconcentration, which alters the composition of the blood sample and may lead to inaccurate test results. In addition, excessive pressure can also cause discomfort and potentially damage the underlying tissues or veins. Therefore, adhering to the guideline of keeping the tourniquet on for no longer than 1 minute ensures both the integrity of the blood sample and the comfort of the patient. It's crucial for medical professionals to be aware of these time constraints to maintain the quality of laboratory results and patient care.