Deck 11: Capillary Blood Specimens

Question 1

Which of the following is identical for venipuncture and capillary puncture procedures?

A) site selection
B) greeting, identification, and hand hygiene
C) withdrawing the specimen
D) puncture technique

Answer 1

greeting, identification, and hand hygiene

Question 2

Skin puncture techniques are useful in which of the following conditions?

A) when large amounts of blood are needed for research testing
B) when the patient is in the ICU and needs hourly lab testing
C) when the patient is a neonate
D) when the patient is morbidly obese

Answer 2

when the patient is a neonate

Question 3

Labeled skin puncture specimens should include the:

A) patient's name and identification number
B) time and date of collection
C) phlebotomist's initials
D) all of the above

Answer 3

all of the above

Question 4

Which of the following conditions can have an adverse effect on the quality of a fingerstick?

A) the age of a patient
B) the gender of a patient
C) always using the first drop of blood
D) the presence of a wedding ring

Question 5

Blood smears for evaluation of cells must be made carefully. Which of the following features should be present?

A) one-quarter of the slide being covered with the blood
B) a feathered edge
C) ridges and holes in the smear
D) streaks of blood running the length of the slide

Question 6

Blood from a skin puncture is:

A) mostly interstitial fluid
B) a mix of blood and interstitial fluid
C) mostly venous blood
D) skin oils mixed with venous blood

Question 7

Generally speaking, what should the phlebotomist do with the first drop of blood after a fingerstick is performed?

A) Use it for coagulation studies.
B) Make a blood smear or slide.
C) Wipe it off with gauze.
D) Use it for hematology testing.

Question 8

What is the best angle for spreading a blood smear by using two glass slides?

A) 0 degrees, or completely flat
B) 30 degrees
C) 40 degrees
D) 90 degrees

Question 9

Which of the following chemical agents should be used to cleanse a patient's finger before skin puncture?

A) isopropanol
B) povidone-iodine
C) diluted Clorox
D) methanol

Question 10

What is the average skin puncture depth appropriate for an adult?

A) 0.5-1.0 mm
B) 2-3 mm
C) 3-5 mm
D) 5.5 mm

Question 11

Excessive massaging or milking of the finger during a skin puncture procedure can cause:

A) an adequate supply of blood for filling several capillary tubes
B) increased venous blood flow to the puncture site
C) hemolysis and contamination of the specimen with tissue fluids
D) helpful results in glucose screening tests

Question 12

Osteomyelitis is defined as:

A) infection of the blood
B) infection of the spinal fluid
C) inflammation and infection of the bone
D) inflammation of the finger

Question 13

In making a blood smear or slide, after the drop of blood has been spread across the glass slide, what is the next step?

A) Gently blow on it to aid in drying.
B) Hold it over a heating element to promote cellular adhesion to the glass.
C) Add a drop of saline to the slide to preserve it.
D) Allow it to air-dry.

Question 14

When performing a fingerstick on the middle finger, what part of the finger should be punctured?

A) the area to the side of the nail
B) off-center of the thickest part of the fingertip
C) near the crease of the finger
D) at the most extreme tip of the finger

Question 15

Nails can grow at a rate of about:

A) 1 mm per day
B) 0.5 mm per day
C) 0.1 mm per day
D) 0.01 mm per day

Question 16

Fingerstick procedures cannot be performed when which test is ordered?

A) hematology tests
B) electrolytes
C) glucose screening
D) blood cultures

Question 17

Another instance when a fingerstick should not be performed on a patient is when the following has been ordered:

A) cholesterol screening
B) coagulation tests
C) complete blood cell count
D) electrolyte testing

Question 18

It is best to use which type of bandage on an adult after a fingerstick?

A) latex
B) hypoallergenic
C) clear
D) cotton

Question 19

Phlebotomists should ask about which of the following prior to a fingerstick?

A) if the patient would prefer a stick on his or her earlobe
B) if the patient has had anything to eat or drink lately
C) if the noise of the device is bothersome
D) how deep the patient would like the stick

Question 20

Alcohol that has not dried prior to a skin puncture can prevent a round drop from forming.

Question 21

Alcohol that has not dried prior to a skin puncture can cause hemolysis of blood cells.

Question 22

Alcohol that has not dried prior to a skin puncture can cause erroneous results for some laboratory tests.

Question 23

Patients can be allowed to stand during a fingerstick.

Question 24

Nonretractable lancets are recommended for use on adults.

Question 25

Retractable lancets are recommended for use on children.

Question 26

The puncture made during a fingerstick should be parallel to the fingerprint.

Question 27

Fingernails are formed like hair, from a root.

Question 28

The pinkie finger is the preferred site for a fingerstick for children.

Question 29

Some point-of-care instruments require different wipe-off procedures for the first drops.

Question 30

The ________ hand should be used for a fingerstick, if possible.

Question 31

The term used for a finger that appears blue in color due to oxygen depletion is ________.

Question 32

________ capillary tubes are not recommended for use due to the likelihood of breakage.

Question 33

The name of the fingertip bone is the distal ________.

Question 34

Another name for microhematocrit is ________.

Question 35

When performing a fingerstick, the puncture should be oriented ________ to or across the fingerprint ridges.

Question 36

If hematology tests are ordered and a fingerstick is to be performed, when should they be collected in the order of draw?

Question 37

One strategy for improving circulation prior to a fingerstick is to ________ the site.

Question 38

During a skin-puncture procedure, small tubes are filled by ________ action.

Question 39

The lancet on retractable puncture devices cannot be ________ repeatedly.

Question 40

Alcohol is used to cleanse patients' fingers in preparation for a capillary/skin puncture. Describe possible effects if the alcohol is not allowed to dry completely before performing the puncture.

Question 41

Describe differences in the composition of capillary blood, venous blood, and arterial blood.