Final answer:
Lancets are used to collect blood samples via capillary or skin punctures when only a small volume of blood is needed.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lancets are used to collect blood samples by capillary or skin punctures. The process involves making a small puncture in the skin to draw a small amount of blood, typically from a fingertip or from the heel in infants. This method is employed when only a small volume of blood is required for testing. Phlebotomists use different techniques for blood collection depending on the amount needed and the purpose of the test. Venipuncture is used to collect larger volumes from a vein, arterial sticks are used for arterial blood gas tests, and lancets for capillary blood samples. After collection, the blood may be sent to medical laboratories for analysis or used for other purposes such as transfusions or research.
Lancets are used to collect blood samples by capillary or skin punctures. Capillary punctures are often performed on small locations, such as the finger, in order to obtain a small quantity of blood. Skin punctures are commonly used for glucose testing in patients with diabetes. These methods are less invasive than venipunctures which involve collecting blood from a vein in the arm.