Question

A phlebotomy technician is preparing a peripheral blood smear from a patient's capillary blood. Which of the following actions should the technician take ?

A. Select the patient's index finger for the capillary blood draw.
B. Use the second drop of blood that emerges from the puncture.
C. Position the puncture device so it cuts along the lines of the fingerprint.
D. Touch the slide to the blood at least 3.8 cm (1.5in) from the end of the slide.

Answer 1

A phlebotomy technician preparing a peripheral blood smear should select the patient's index finger, use the first drop of blood, properly position the puncture device, and touch the slide to the blood at the correct distance.

Step-by-step explanation:

When preparing a peripheral blood smear from a patient's capillary blood, the phlebotomy technician should:

• Select the patient's index finger for the capillary blood draw. This is a common location for capillary blood collection.
• It is not necessary to use the second drop of blood. The first drop is sufficient for the smear.
• There is no need to cut along the lines of the fingerprint. Instead, the technician should use a puncture device to make a small puncture.
• The technician should touch the slide to the blood at least 3.8 cm (1.5in) from the end of the slide to ensure a proper blood smear.