Gloves, 23- or 25-gauge safety engineered scalp vein needle or needle (23 gauge preferred to reduce risk of hemolysis or clotting), alcohol swabs, 3 povidone-iodine swabs (for blood culture), appropriate specimen containers (eg, red-topped tube), a tourniquet or rubber band (for the scalp), 4 × 4 sterile gauze pads, syringe, transilluminator for vein imaging (optional) (see Chapter 40).