Venipuncture refers to which of the following actions?

Venipuncture specifically refers to the procedure of obtaining a blood sample from a vein, typically using a needle and syringe or a vacutainer. This process is crucial for numerous medical evaluations, such as determining blood types, checking for infections, or monitoring various health conditions. The technique requires knowledge of anatomy to identify suitable veins, often in the arm, and the ability to follow safety protocols to minimize the risk of infection or complications.

Other procedures mentioned in the options involve different methods and purposes. Injecting medication into a muscle is known as intramuscular injection, measuring blood pressure is a vital sign assessment, and examining blood under a microscope is part of laboratory analysis, such as hematology or cytology. Each differs significantly in technique and application from venipuncture, reinforcing why taking a blood sample from a vein is the accurate description of venipuncture.