Question

"Dermal puncture is appropriate in all but which of the following situations?

A. When the patient is an infant.
B. When the patient is elderly and has fragile veins.
C. When the patient has severe burns.
D. When the patient is afraid of the pain of venipuncture."

Answer 1

Dermal puncture is not appropriate for a patient with severe burns because the compromised skin increases the risk of infection and other complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

Dermal puncture is typically used for blood sample collection under circumstances where it is more suitable than traditional venipuncture. The situations mentioned in the question encompass instances where dermal puncture may be preferable due to various patient factors: in infants, whose veins may be too small for venipuncture; in the elderly with fragile veins, where venipuncture could cause damage; and in patients with a fear of venipuncture pain, where a less invasive method is desired for patient comfort. However, in the case of a patient with severe burns, dermal puncture may not be appropriate because the burns could have compromised the integrity of the skin, making infection control a significant concern and raising the risk associated with breaking the skin barrier.