RT Book, Section
A1 Gomella, Tricia Lacy
A1 Eyal, Fabien G.
A1 Bany-Mohammed, Fayez
SR Print(0)
ID 1168356408
T1 Heelstick (Capillary Blood Sampling)
T2 Gomella's Neonatology: Management, Procedures, On-Call Problems, Diseases, and Drugs, 8e
YR 2020
FD 2020
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781259644818
LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1168356408
RD 2024/04/23
AB Blood  collection,  when  only  a  small  sample  (1  drop  to  <1  mL)  is  needed  or  when  there  is  difficulty  obtaining  samples  by  venipuncture  of  other  sources.Common  capillary  blood  studies:  Complete  blood  count  (CBC),  general  chemistry  labs,  bedside  glucose  estimation,  liver  function  tests,  thyroid  levels,  bilirubin  levels,  toxicology/therapeutic  drug  levels,  and  newborn  metabolic  screening.The  following  laboratory  tests  are  not  recommended  by  capillary  blood  sampling:  Coagulation  studies,  chromosomal  analyses,  erythrocyte  sedimentation  rate,  immunoglobulin  titers,  some  other,  more  sophisticated  tests,  any  tests  that  require  a  lot  of  blood.Capillary  blood  gas  determination  gives  satisfactory  pH  and  PCO2,  but  not  PO2.Blood  cultures  when  venous  access  or  other  access  is  not  possible.  Sterile  technique  is  required,  but  heel  stick  is  not  the  preferred  method.Not  recommended  for  blood  sampling  in  term  infants.  Most  sources  confirm  that  venipuncture,  not  capillary  blood  sampling,  by  a  skilled  operator  is  the  method  of  choice  for  blood  sampling  in  term  neonates.  Lower  pain  scores  are  seen  with  venipuncture  in  infants.