Which action is part of the standard post-venipuncture procedure?

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Releasing the tourniquet promptly is part of standard post-venipuncture care because it lets blood flow return to normal quickly, which minimizes hemoconcentration that can alter test results. It also reduces the risk of vein injury and helps patient comfort. After blood is drawn, you should immediately apply gauze and light pressure to stop the bleeding, then dispose of the needle safely in a sharps container. Recapping a used needle is unsafe and should not be done. Leaving gauze un-applied would delay hemostasis and could lead to a hematoma. Transporting the specimen before labeling increases the risk of misidentification, so labeling should be done at collection before transport.