What is the primary challenge when drawing blood from elderly patients?

The primary challenge when drawing blood from elderly patients is that they may have fragile veins. As people age, their skin and veins undergo changes such as reduced elasticity and thinning of the tissue surrounding the veins, which can make the veins more susceptible to damage during venipuncture. This fragility increases the risk of complications like hematomas, which can occur if a vein collapses or if there is excessive pressure when inserting the needle. Therefore, when drawing blood from elderly patients, phlebotomists must employ gentle techniques and be cautious to minimize injury to these delicate veins.

Other challenges, such as locating veins, may not be as pronounced for some elderly patients, and while it is true that blood viscosity may change with age, it does not typically manifest as "thicker blood." Lastly, the volume of blood required for most tests does not generally increase for elderly patients, making the assumption of needing larger blood volumes incorrect.