In obese patients, the cephalic vein normally renders the best results.

• A. Median Cubital Vein
• B. Basilic Vein
• C. Cephalic Vein
• D. Radial Vein

Answer: (C)

In venipuncture, the vein chosen should be easy to see or feel, stable under the tourniquet, and large enough to yield an adequate sample. In obese patients, deeper veins can be hidden by layer upon layer of fat, making the most common first-choice vein harder to locate and puncture. The cephalic vein runs along the lateral forearm and upper arm and is often the most superficial and accessible of the major veins in this population. Its surface position makes it easier to palpate, stabilize, and puncture without needing to dig through thick tissue, which reduces the chance of multiple attempts and patient discomfort. The radial vein sits in the wrist and is smaller and less commonly used for routine draws, while the basilic vein, though large, is closer to underlying structures and tends to be less stable and harder to access in obese patients. The median cubital vein, while usually a reliable first choice, can be less accessible when fat obscures tissue planes in obesity. Thus, the cephalic vein often provides the best balance of visibility, accessibility, and stability in obese individuals.