What is the primary purpose of phlebotomy?

The primary purpose of phlebotomy is to collect blood samples for various uses, including laboratory testing, donation, or transfusion. This foundational role in healthcare allows for diagnostic testing, enabling the identification of medical conditions, monitoring of health status, and conducting research. Blood collected via phlebotomy can be tested for a wide range of factors, which is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment decisions.

While other options mention aspects of blood handling or analysis, they do not capture the complete breadth of what phlebotomy encompasses. Performing blood transfusions is a specialized procedure that occurs after the blood has been collected and tested, and providing intravenous therapy involves different skills and training. Analyzing blood for specific diseases is a crucial part of the diagnostics process but occurs after the blood has been obtained through phlebotomy, which highlights that the primary purpose is indeed the collection of blood samples.