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Once final skin antisepsis is complete and dry, touching the site with a non-sterile glove re-introduces skin flora and increases contamination risk (especially critical for blood cultures). If you lose the landmark, either palpate through sterile gauze or re-clean the site with the appropriate antiseptic, allow the full dry time again, and then proceed. This maintains asepsis while ensuring accurate vein entry. Option A breaks aseptic technique. Option B risks a missed stick or tissue trauma. Option D misunderstands the purpose of antisepsis—gloves protect the worker, not the patient; site prep protects the specimen and patient. Additional best practices include anchoring the vein below the site (without sliding back over the cleaned area), using adequate lighting, and marking the general vein path with your eyes before cleaning. Maintaining asepsis prevents contaminated cultures, local infection, and recollects—core competencies in phlebotomy.