What is the difference between a finger stick and a venipuncture?

A fingerstick screening takes only a few drops of blood from a fingertip, while the venipuncture method requires a vial (or two) from the arm. Both provide accurate measurements of total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and glucose.

What is the difference between venipuncture and capillary puncture?

Capillary blood sampling is becoming a common way to minimize the amount of blood drawn from a patient. The 10 or 20 microliters can be used to look for anemia, check blood sugar or even to evaluate thyroid function. The procedure is easier and less painful than traditional venipuncture which draws blood from a vein.

What does a finger stick test for?

Taking a finger stick test at home or on the go is a quick, cost-effective way to check blood sugar levels throughout the day and make any necessary treatment decisions, like dosing insulin. Finger stick tests may also be performed by a healthcare professional for assisted monitoring of blood sugar.

What type of blood is drawn when performing a fingerstick?

In medicine, some blood tests are conducted on capillary blood obtained by fingerstick (or fingerprick) (or, for neonates, by an analogous heelprick). The site, free of surface arterial flow, where the blood is to be collected is sterilized with a topical germicide, and the skin pierced with a sterile lancet.

Which is better, A venipuncture or a finger stick?

Venipuncture specimens are superior to those collected by fingerstick because the risk of environmental contamination is minimal and a larger volume of blood is obtained for analysis. For this reason, venipuncture should be utilized for specimen collection whenever possible.

How is the fingerstick used to extract blood?

The fingerstick is a quick and easy venipuncture procedure used to extract a small blood sample from a patient. It is done with a lancet, whichc is used to prick the patient’s finger, creating a tiny hole through which blood is squeezed ouot.

How are blood drawn in a venipuncture procedure?

With the development of the Evacuated Method, the syringe procedure fell mostly out of favor due to the fact that it requires multiple “sticks” when needing to collect more than one tube of blood. This venipuncture procedure uses the traditional needle and plunger system to draw blood into a tube.

When to use a finger stick for specimen collection?

For this reason, venipuncture should be utilized for specimen collection whenever possible. Fingerstick collection should be used only for infants and young children, or when venipuncture specimens cannot be obtained.