Certified Occupational Health Nurse Practice Exam 2026 - Free Occupational Health Nurse Practice Questions and Study Guide

Venipuncture is considered the preferred method for collecting blood samples in occupational health due to its ability to provide larger volumes of blood, which can be essential for comprehensive laboratory analyses. This method involves inserting a needle into a vein, typically in the arm, allowing for the collection of serum or plasma samples with minimal risk of contamination.

In occupational health settings, where accurate blood analysis is critical for assessing exposures to hazardous substances, monitoring health statuses, and conducting health screenings, venipuncture ensures that the samples collected are suitable for various tests, including those that may require specific handling or processing. Additionally, venipuncture often has a lower likelihood of affecting the results due to factors such as hemolysis, which can occur more frequently with smaller sampling methods like capillary sampling or fingerstick methods.

While other methods exist, they are typically used for specific purposes or in certain contexts. For instance, capillary sampling and fingerstick methods are more commonly employed when only small amounts of blood are needed, such as for quick glucose testing in diabetes management. Arterial puncture, on the other hand, is primarily reserved for specific scenarios, such as measuring blood gases, and is not typically used for routine occupational health blood sampling due to its