McKesson Lancet Push Button 28 Gauge 1.5 mm Depth 1 Box(s), 100 /Box

 McKesson Lancet Push Button 28 Gauge 1.5 mm Depth 1 Box(s), 100 /Box

•  Color: Purple
• 28 Gauge Needle
• Depth Penetration: 1.5 mm
• Features needle for finger sample
• Sterile

Capillary puncture

• Qualification
• Capillary puncture.

Goals

• Know the methods of blood collection .
• Correctly perform capillary blood extraction.

Basis
Extraction methods allow us to collect blood samples for analysis in the laboratory. In other words, it allows us to obtain an adequate blood sample to carry out its hematological, biochemical or microbiological analysis.

Among the methods of blood extraction we find the capillary puncture. This consists of using a lancet and pricking a finger. Preferably the first phalanx of the ring finger, that is, its most distal phalanx, is pricked. The middle finger or index finger can also be used.

It is a technique that has the disadvantage of having to quickly spread the drop of blood obtained before it clots. It also presents difficulty and impossibility of obtaining a large quantity of blood and introducing it into a tube with anticoagulant.

There is some controversy with the use of the capillary puncture technique as to who should and who should not perform it. Today it is a mandatory technique to use, together with a glucometer, in patients with diabetes. Their relatives are forced to learn the technique to have a thorough control of blood glucose levels. The controversy arises from the peculiarity that relatives and patients are not health personnel.

Material

• 70º alcohol.
• Guatis.
• Ballpoint.
• Lancets
• Slide where the extension will be made.
• Slides with ground edges.
• Filter paper.
• Yellow waste container.

Technique

• Clean and disinfect the finger that we are going to prick.
• Load the pen with the lancet.
• Lightly massage the finger to ensure adequate and sufficient blood flow.
• Prick the finger with the lancet.
• Press a little to obtain drops of blood.
• Discard the first drop.
• Obtain a second drop and use it to make a blood smear.
• Discard the lancet in the waste container.

Results
Capillary puncture

In this image we can see part of the material. 70º alcohol, lancets, pen, blood smear slide, guatis and, of course, the filter paper.

Capillary puncture

Here we can appreciate the collection of capillary blood in a test tube. This photo really belongs to the reticulocyte staining practice, which we will see in the future.

Observations
In the face of cold nerves and hands, a peripheral vasoconstriction occurs that makes the ideal result of the technique very difficult, since due to this it is practically impossible to obtain a drop of capillary blood.

You should also avoid pressing the finger too much to obtain a drop of blood, because we can hemolyze the red blood cells.