Which vein is acceptable for venipuncture?

• A. Saphenous vein
• B. Basilic vein on dorsum of the arm
• C. Pulmonary vein
• D. Carotid artery

Answer: (B)

When drawing blood, the goal is to access a vein that is superficial, easily felt, and safe to puncture. The basilic vein, a prominent superficial vein on the medial side of the arm, fits this role well and is commonly used when the preferred vein isn’t suitable. It remains a vein, not an artery, and lies in a location where you can reliably palpate it for a needle entry.

The other options aren’t appropriate for routine venipuncture: the saphenous vein is in the leg and not a typical site for blood draws; the pulmonary vein is a deep internal vein connected to the heart and not accessible for venipuncture; the carotid artery is an artery, not a vein, and puncturing it would be dangerous.