Sites of capillary blood collection from the following is __________.
AFinger tip
BEar lobe
CGreat toe or heal
DAll of these
Answer:
D. All of these
Read Explanation:
- Capillary blood collection, often referred to as a capillary stick or fingerstick, is the process of obtaining blood from the microscopic blood vessels (capillaries) located near the skin's surface.
- Primary Sites for Adults and Children: The preferred sites are the palmar surface of the distal segment of the third (middle) finger or the fourth (ring) finger.
- Preferred Sites for Infants (under 1 year): For infants, blood is collected from the plantar surface of the heel. Specifically, the medial or lateral plantar surface is used to avoid damage to the calcaneus (heel bone).
- Site Selection Criteria:
- The site should be free from scars, cuts, bruises, rashes, or infection.
- Avoid areas with calluses or thick skin, as these can impede blood flow.
- Do not use the thumb or the index finger due to the thickness of the skin and sensitivity, respectively.
- Avoid the fifth (little) finger if the tissue depth is insufficient to prevent bone injury.
- Procedure Notes:
- The puncture should be made perpendicular to the fingerprints (whorls) to ensure the blood forms a droplet rather than running down the finger.
- Warming the site prior to collection increases arterial blood flow, making the sample more representative of arterial blood.
- Excessive squeezing ('milking') of the puncture site should be avoided, as it can cause hemolysis (rupture of red blood cells) or introduce tissue fluid, which alters test results.