Venipuncture specifically refers to the act of puncturing a vein to collect a blood sample or administer medications intravenously. It is a medical procedure involving the use of a needle to access a vein for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Phlebotomy, on the other hand, is a broader term that includes various techniques for blood collection, such as venipuncture, finger sticks, or heel sticks. Phlebotomy encompasses the entire process of blood collection, sample processing, and transportation for laboratory tests, transfusions, or research purposes.