Capillary and Special Collections Flashcards

Which area of an infant's foot should be avoided during heel puncture?

Answer: Central arch (posterior curvature)

The central arch or posterior curvature of the heel must be avoided because the calcaneus bone is closest to the surface in that area, risking bone injury and infection.

What type of collection container is typically used for neonatal bilirubin testing via capillary puncture?

Answer: Amber-wrapped capillary tube

Bilirubin is light-sensitive and must be protected from light during and after collection, so amber-wrapped or foil-covered capillary tubes are used.

When collecting blood cultures from a patient, which site should be cleaned first?

Answer: The venipuncture site on the patient

The venipuncture site on the patient is cleaned first with antiseptic to prevent skin flora from contaminating the blood culture specimen.

A phlebotomist is asked to collect a specimen for a bleeding time test. What does this test evaluate?

Answer: Platelet plug formation

The bleeding time test evaluates how well platelets interact with the blood vessel wall to form a platelet plug, assessing primary hemostasis.

What is the purpose of applying steady pressure without milking or squeezing during capillary collection?

Answer: To prevent hemolysis and tissue fluid contamination

Excessive squeezing or milking forces tissue fluid into the blood drop, diluting the specimen and causing hemolysis of red blood cells.

Which of the following is a critical timing requirement for blood culture collection?

Answer: Collections from different sites should be drawn at separate venipuncture sites

Blood cultures from different sites should be collected from separate venipuncture sites to help distinguish true bacteremia from contamination.