MLSP: DERMAL PUNCTURE Flashcards
- Requisition form
- Wearing of gowns and gloves
- Extensive hand washing
- Carrying only the necessary equipment to the
patient area.
Dermal Puncture Procedure
Requisition form, verbal identification, and ID
band
Patient Identification and Preparation
Must be seated or lying down with the hand supported on a firm surface, palm up, and fingers pointed downward for fingersticks
Patient Position
T or F
Areas selected for dermal puncture should not be callused, scarred, bruised,
edematous, cold or cyanotic, or infected.
True
T or F
Do not collect blood from the fingers on the side of a mastectomy without a health care provider’s order.
True
Infants younger than 1 year Punctures should not be performed in other areas
of the foot, and particularly not in the arch
Heel Puncture Site
Adults and children over 1 year of age. Fleshy areas located near the center of the third and fourth fingers on the palmar side of the non dominant hand
Finger Puncture Site
T or F
Towel moistened with warm water (42-42°C) or
activating a commercial heel warmer and covering the site for 3 to 5 minutes effectively
warms the site.
True
T or F
The site should not be warmed for longer than 10 minutes or test results may be altered.
True
T or F
Warming dilates the blood vessels and increases arterial blood flow.
True
T or F
Site is cleansed with 70% isopropyl alcohol, using
a circular motion.
True
T or F
The alcohol should be allowed to dry on the skin for maximum antiseptic action, and the residue may be removed with gauze to prevent interference with certain tests.
True
- Causes a stinging sensation for the patient
- Contaminates the sample
- Hemolyzes RBCs
- Prevents formation of a rounded blood drop
because blood will mix with the alcohol and run
down the finger
Failure to allow the alcohol to dry
Heel or finger should be well supported and held firmly, without squeezing the puncture area.
Performing the puncture
T or F
Massaging the area before the puncture may
increase blood flow to the area.
True
