70% isopropyl alcohol or povidone-iodine
solution pads
Blood lancets
Capillary tubes
Bandages
Arrange your equipment in an orderly manner and
have it within easy reach. Also, wash your hands
before and after each procedure.
Finger Puncture Procedure
To perform a finger puncture, follow the steps
given below.
1. Explain the procedure to the patient.
2. Using the middle or ring finger, massage or
milk the finger down toward the fingertip.
Repeat this milking five or six times.
3. Cleanse the fingertip with an alcohol pad or
povidone-iodine solution and let dry.
4. Take a lancet and make a quick deep stab on the
side of the finger (off-center). To obtain a large
rounded drop, the puncture should be across the
striations of the fingertip. See figure 7-3.
5. Wipe away the first drop of blood to avoid
dilution with tissue fluid. Avoid squeezing the
fingertip to accelerate bleeding as this tends to
dilute the blood with excess tissue fluid, but
gentle pressure some distance above the
puncture site may be applied to obtain a free
flow of blood.
6. When the required blood has been obtained,
apply a pad of sterile gauze and instruct the
patient to apply pressure, then apply a bandage.
When dealing with infants and very small
children, the heel or great toe puncture is the best
method to obtain a blood specimen. This method is
performed in much the same way.
VENIPUNCTURE (
METHOD)
The collection of blood from veins is called
venipuncture. For the convenience of technician and
patient, arm veins are best for obtaining a blood
sample. If arm veins cannot be used due to interference
from bandage or IV therapy, thrombosed or hardened
veins, etc., consult your supervisor for instructions on
the use of hand or foot veins.
NOTE: Do not draw blood from an arm with
IV fluid running into it. Choose another site.
The IV fluid will alter tests results.
Materials Required for Venipuncture
Procedure
To perform a venipuncture, the following
materials are required:
Sterile gauze pads (2" x 2")
70% isopropyl alcohol or povidone-iodine
solution pads
Tourniquet
Vacutainer needles and holder
Vacutainer tube appropriate for the test to be
performed
Arrange your equipment in an orderly manner and
have it within easy reach. Also, wash your hands
before the procedure.
Venipuncture Procedure
Position the patient so that the vein is easily
accessible and you are able to perform the
venipuncture in a comfortable position. Always have
the patient either lying in bed or sitting in a chair with
the arm propped up.
7-5
PREFERRED
TECHNIQUE
HM3f0703
POOR
TECHNIQUE
Figure 7-3.Finger puncture.