WELCOME TO NO NEED(LE) TO WORRY
having a blood test
from your arm
Some people like to know what will happen when they have treatment.
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This part explains what might happen before, during and after having a blood sample from your arm.
There is a comic strip that shows you what might happen when you have your treatment too.
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If there is anything you don't want to see, you don't need to - just click on the parts you are interested in!
I would like to know what a blood test is for and why I need one A blood test means taking a small sample of blood from your body. Sometimes your blood needs to be tested, so that a doctor can find out why you are feeling unwell, or so they can check if a medicine you are taking is working properly. Your doctor will be able to tell you exactly why they want you to have a blood test. They need to make sure that the blood sample is clean (not dirty like when you fall and cut your knee) and that they have enough to check it properly. Usually the sample is taken from one of your arms.
I would like to know what might happen BEFORE my blood test Your doctor will tell you why they would like you to have a blood test. On the day of your blood test, you might be given some numbing cream to put on the bend of your arms, which will stop you feeling things as much. This cream needs to be left on for a while so it can work properly. You will meet the person who will be taking your blood sample.
I would like to know what might happen DURING my blood test If you had some numbing cream on your arm, this will be wiped off. You will feel some squeezing on your arm, and some tapping or patting on the bend of your arm. You will then feel some pushing, and once the pushing feeling stops you will have to wait a few minutes for the sample to be finished. The sample will be collected in some small bottles to keep it safe. You can tell the person if you don’t want to see the bottles. It's important that the person gets what they need, so your blood can be tested properly. Sometimes this means they have to do the test than once, but they will only do this if it's really needed.
I would like to know what might happen AFTER my blood test You will feel a little bit more pushing and then you might be given a sticky plaster or a cotton wool ball to wear on your arm for a little while. You might have a small bruise. You will be able to move your arm like normal, and it won’t feel any different.
I would like to see a drawing example of the treatment needle
I would like to see a drawing of what my appointment might be like