What can occur if alcohol does not completely dry during site preparation?

When preparing a site for a medical procedure, ensuring that alcohol fully dries before proceeding is crucial. If the alcohol does not completely evaporate, this can lead to hemolysis, which is the destruction of red blood cells. Alcohol can cause red blood cells to rupture when in contact with them in their liquid state. This is particularly relevant when drawing blood or conducting any procedure where blood cells are exposed to a wet alcohol surface.

While infection, contamination, and vasospasm are important considerations in site preparation, they are not directly tied to the immediate effects of residual alcohol. Infection can occur from various sources but is not caused by the presence of alcohol. Contamination generally refers to the presence of pathogens or non-sterile elements, and vasospasm, the constriction of blood vessels, is more related to physiological response rather than being a direct outcome of residual alcohol. Thus, the focus remains on hemolysis as the significant risk when alcohol has not completely dried.