Fingerstick
Fingersticks (or fingerpricks) and heelpricks are small superficial wounds that provide venous blood for some blood tests. Various methods are used to open the wound, which produces no more than a few drops of blood. The procedure can be painful, but is typically quicker and less distressing than venipuncture.
After a droplet has formed, venous blood is sucked up in a capillary tube, usually relying on surface tension, but sometimes by indirect[vague] suction.
Tests commonly conducted on capillary blood are:
- glucose levels - diabetics often have a portable blood meter to check on their blood sugar.
- mononucleosis - fingerstick testing can be used to test for mononucleosis
- hemoglobin levels - fingerstick testing of hemoglobin is a quick screening procedure to check if a blood or plasma donor has a high enough blood count to be allowed to donate blood or blood components.
- genetic testing - heelprick testing of a newborn's DNA allows for early diagnosis and mitigation of common hereditary disorders.
Full CBC (complete blood count) Fingersticks are sometimes done on children and the elderly, when only a small amount of blood (less than 500 μg) is needed for a test. Neonates (newborn babies) are given heelpricks instead, as this is less likely to cause permanent damage (and because[vague] babies have very small fingers).
[edit] External links
- Heelpricks, section "Blood collection on babies"
