You are monitoring a nurse acquiring a capillary blood sample from an infant. The nurse immedi-ately punctures the infant's heel with a lancet and then squeezes the puncture site to increase the flow of blood

What mistakes has the nurse made while obtaining the capillary blood sample?
1. Inadequate warming of the capillary bed
2. Squeezing of the puncture site
3. Puncture of the infant's heel
4. Use of a lancet.
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 3 and 4 only
c. 1, 2, and 3 only
d. 1, 3, and 4 only


ANS: A
The most common technical errors in capillary sampling are inadequate warming of the capillary bed and squeezing of the puncture site. Squeezing the puncture site may result in venous and lymphatic contamination of the sample.

Health Professions

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