Capillary Puncture Flashcards
Lancet
sterile, disposable, sharp-pointed or bladed instrument. designed to collect capillary blood from either a finger or heel puncture
Microcollection Containers/Microtubes
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
Microhematocrit Tubes & sealants
disposable, narrow-bore plastic or plastic-clad glass tube. filled by capillary action
Capillary Blood Gas Equipment
CBG collection tubes, stirrers, magnet, and plastic caps
Capillary Specimens
a mix of arterial and venous blood.
Interstitial Fluid
tissue fluid from spaces between cells
Intracellular Fluid
fluid inside of cells
When to do a capillary puncture
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
Capillary Order of Draw
CBGs –> EDTA –> Other additive specimens –> Serum specimens
General Capillary Puncture (GCP) Steps 1-5
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
GCP Step 6
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
GCP Step 7
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
GCP Steps 8/9
Warm the site using appropriate methods and clean site with antiseptic & allow to air dry
GCP Step 10/11
prep equipment including gloves, collection devices and sterile lancets (open packaging in front of pt). grasp the finger or heel firmly
GCP Step 12
Place lancet flat against skin, warn pt, activate release mechanism to puncture pt and remove device and dispose of in sharps container
GCP Steps 13-15
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
GCP Steps 16-20
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
Kernicterus and Phototherapy
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
Neonatal screening
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
PKU
Phenylketonuria. a genetic disorder characterized by a defect in the enzyme that breaks down phenylalanine converting it to tyrosine
Hypothyroidism
a disorder characterized by insufficient levels of thyroid hormones
Galactosemia
a inherited disorder characterized by the lack of an enzyme needed to break down the milk sugar galactose into glucose
Cystic Fibrosis
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
Blood film/smear
a drop of blood spread thin on a microscope slide
Manual Differential
a test in which the number, type, and characteristics of blood cells are determined by examining a stained blood smear under a microscope
