After verifying the placement of the needle in a vein, the next step is to:

Once the placement of the needle in a vein has been verified—usually by observing blood return in the hub of the needle or catheter—the immediate next step is to remove the tourniquet. This is essential because keeping the tourniquet on can lead to increased pressure in the vein, which might cause discomfort for the patient or even damage the vein over time.

Removing the tourniquet helps to restore normal blood flow through the vein, minimizes the risk of complications such as hematoma formation, and ensures that the procedure can proceed safely, whether that involves injecting medications, administering IV fluids, or performing other necessary interventions. Without this critical step, the subsequent actions, such as injecting contrast or administering fluids, may be performed under less than ideal conditions.