What does the term "phlebotomy" refer to?

The term "phlebotomy" specifically refers to the practice of drawing blood from a patient, typically for laboratory testing or other medical purposes. This process usually involves inserting a needle into a vein, most commonly in the arm, to collect blood samples for analysis. Phlebotomy is a critical skill in healthcare, as it enables the accurate assessment of a patient's health status through various blood tests.

Other options describe different aspects of healthcare that do not align with the definition of phlebotomy. Blood typing involves determining an individual's blood type, which is a specific lab procedure, but it does not encompass the act of blood collection itself. The administration of intravenous fluids pertains to the delivery of fluids directly into the bloodstream, a procedure distinct from blood drawing. Monitoring blood pressure levels involves assessing vascular health and does not involve blood collection from a vein. Thus, the definition of phlebotomy is uniquely tied to the act of drawing blood.