This document provides information on obtaining a blood sample through skin puncture. It outlines that skin puncture is preferred for pediatric patients and can be used for adults with obesity, burns, or thrombotic tendencies. The finger tip, heel, great toe, or ear lobe are suitable sites and the technique involves cleaning the site, making a puncture with a sterile lancet, collecting the blood sample, applying pressure until bleeding stops, and disposing of supplies properly. While convenient for some patients, skin puncture only provides a small sample and results can be affected by dilution from tissue fluid.

1. Mr Govardhan Joshi

2. Introduction
 Skin and other tissue are richly supplied
with capillaries so when few ml of blood is
required capillary puncture is done
 Skin puncture is the method of choice in
pediatric patients
 Skin puncture can be used in adults with:
- extreme obesity
- sever burn
- Thrombotic tendencies

3. Site of obtaining blood-
 Finger tip
 Heel
 Great toe
 Ear lobe
Requirement-
 Lancet
 Spirit swab
 Sterile cotton
 Dry cotton

4. Technique:
 Identification of patient
 Select an appropriate puncture site
 Clean the puncture site with antiseptic
and allow the area to dry.
 Make the puncture with a sterile lancet
 Discard the first drop of blood by wiping
it away with a sterile pad
 Collect the specimen in a suitable
container

5.  Place gauze on the site and ask the
patient to apply pressure until bleeding
stops.
 Dispose of used supplies in biohazard
container.
 Thank the patient.
 Remove gloves and wash hands.
 Complete paperwork.
 Deliver sample to the laboratory

6. Disadvantages
 Can be used for only few tests
 Dilution of blood with tissue fluid will give
false low count