Overview
A CBC requires a small blood specimen. Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.
Preparation: The skin should be cleaned with alcohol or iodine before the test. The patient should be seated comfortably or reclining.
How the test will feel:
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. After the blood is drawn, there may be some throbbing.
Although the CBC test is very safe, any blood drawing has a slight risk of complication, including:
- Oozing of blood from puncture site
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Multiple punctures to locate veins
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Review Date 10/16/2020
Updated by: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.