Capillary Puncture

Question 1

Lancet

Answer 1

sterile, disposable, sharp-pointed or bladed instrument. designed to collect capillary blood from either a finger or heel puncture

Question 2

Microcollection Containers/Microtubes

Answer 2

small plastic tubes used to collect tiny amounts of blood from capillary punctures. are color-coded and or have stoppers & markings for min/max fill levels

Question 3

Microhematocrit Tubes & sealants

Answer 3

disposable, narrow-bore plastic or plastic-clad glass tube. filled by capillary action

Question 4

Capillary Blood Gas Equipment

Answer 4

CBG collection tubes, stirrers, magnet, and plastic caps

Question 5

Capillary Specimens

Answer 5

a mix of arterial and venous blood.

Question 6

Interstitial Fluid

Answer 6

tissue fluid from spaces between cells

Question 7

Intracellular Fluid

Answer 7

fluid inside of cells

Question 8

When to do a capillary puncture

Answer 8

when…
- ordered
-available veins are fragile or need to be saved for other procedures
-several unsuccessful venipuncture attempts have been performed
-pt has clot-forming tendencies or is apprehensive or has an intense fear of needles
-there are no accessible veins
- for POCT procedures
- pt is an infant or a young child

Question 9

Capillary Order of Draw

Answer 9

CBGs –> EDTA –> Other additive specimens –> Serum specimens

Question 10

General Capillary Puncture (GCP) Steps 1-5

Answer 10

Same as general venipuncture steps. Greet pt and ID, explain procedure and get consent, verify collection reqs & identify sensitivities & potential problems, sanitize & put on gloves

Question 11

GCP Step 6

Answer 11

Position pt.
-finger puncture: arm supported on firm surface, hand extended & palm up
-young child: held in lap of parent or guardian
-infant heel puncture: supine w. foot lower than torso

Question 12

GCP Step 7

Answer 12

Select Puncture Site. ensure skin is warm, pink, and a normal color with no scarring, cuts, bruises, rashes, cyanosis, edema, or infection. In adults & older children use the palmar surface of distal or end segment of middle or ring finger in nondominant hand and in the central, fleshy portion of the finger. In infants use finger puncture for infants 6 to 12 months, & during heel puncture use the plantar surface on the medial or lateral edge to avoid bone damage

Question 13

GCP Steps 8/9

Answer 13

Warm the site using appropriate methods and clean site with antiseptic & allow to air dry

Question 14

GCP Step 10/11

Answer 14

prep equipment including gloves, collection devices and sterile lancets (open packaging in front of pt). grasp the finger or heel firmly

Question 15

GCP Step 12

Answer 15

Place lancet flat against skin, warn pt, activate release mechanism to puncture pt and remove device and dispose of in sharps container

Question 16

GCP Steps 13-15

Answer 16

Lower finger or heel & apply gentle pressure until blood droplet form, and wipe away the first drop to avoid contamination. Fill and Mix Tubes in the correct order of Draw

Question 17

GCP Steps 16-20

Answer 17

Place gauze, apply pressure, and elevate site. Label & prepare specimens for transport/handling. Check site and apply bandage. Discard all materials, thank pt and remove gloves & sanitize hands. Transport specimen to correct lab

Question 18

Kernicterus and Phototherapy

Answer 18

a brain dysfunction caused by toxic levels of bilirubin. Treatment for this disease is phototherapy where the usage of light breaks down the excess bilirubin

Question 19

Neonatal screening

Answer 19

a state-mandated test for newborns to detect certain genetic, metabolic, hormonal, or functional disorders/conditions that can cause serious handicaps later in life if not detected and treated early

Question 20

PKU

Answer 20

Phenylketonuria. a genetic disorder characterized by a defect in the enzyme that breaks down phenylalanine converting it to tyrosine

Question 21

Hypothyroidism

Answer 21

a disorder characterized by insufficient levels of thyroid hormones

Question 22

Galactosemia

Answer 22

a inherited disorder characterized by the lack of an enzyme needed to break down the milk sugar galactose into glucose

Question 23

Cystic Fibrosis

Answer 23

a genetic disorder caused by one or more mutations in the gene that directs a protein responsible for regulating the transport of Cl across cell membranes

Question 24

Blood film/smear

Answer 24

a drop of blood spread thin on a microscope slide

Question 25

Manual Differential

Answer 25

a test in which the number, type, and characteristics of blood cells are determined by examining a stained blood smear under a microscope