When the doctor/nurse takes blood from you, why do they try to find a vein, not an artery? And also why is this mainly done on the arm as opposed to other parts of the body?
In: Biology
Arteries pulsate (as they arise directly from the beating heart and are hence, difficult to control bleeding from), are deeper, and are quite painful to get access to. Veins don’t have such features which is why they’re preferred for general access to your circulatory system
Exceptions to this include taking an ABG (arterial blood gas), procedures (like coronary artery stenting (opening arteries that are blocked in the heart)) etc
Arms are preferable due to easy access although the feet may be used as well for venous access
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