The needle on the syringe looked to me to be about 3 1/2 inches long. They took my left hand and inserted the needle all the way between two fingers on the top of the hand. I believe it was between the index and middle finger, I only looked for a second. Then they withdrew quite a bit of blood. This was done after I got to the hospital. Nurse said that was how they took a , pulse-ox ?, reading. I believe that is the term she used. At least, that is what I remembered.
I've had that done before. The other, too. The cuff is the real kiler! lol :)