Complications Complications are uncommon and include Local infection Arterial puncture Hematoma or bleeding Damage to the vein Nerve damage Vasovagal syncope Equipment Skin-cleansing materials: Alcohol, chlorhexidine, or povidone-iodine swabs or wipes Nonsterile gloves (sterile gloves if blood cultures are being obtained) Tourniquet, single-use Needle system (eg, needle and syringe, or needle and vacuum tube, typically 21-gauge needles for adults; 22 - or 23-gauge for neonates, small children, and sometimes older patients) Blood-collection tubes and blood-culture bottles, as appropriate Dressing materials (eg, tape, gauze, bandages) Optional equipment includes Vein-finder device (eg, infrared vein viewer, ultrasonography device) Topical anesthetic (standard for children): Needle-free lidocaine gas-injector, lidocaine - epinephrine - tetracaine mixture, or lidocaine - prilocaine cream Additional Considerations Chlorhexidine hypersensitivity: Cleanse the skin using a different disinfectant.