Question

The phlebotomist is using filter paper for a newborn capillary draw for phenylketonuria. What should the phlebotomist do?

a. apply the blood to the printed side of the filter paper
b. add a second drop of blood if a circle is not full
c. touch the puncture site to the filter paper
d. allow the blood spots to dry for a min. of 2 hours

Answer 1

A phlebotomist performing a newborn capillary draw for PKU testing should apply the blood to the non-printed side of the filter paper, fill the circles completely without adding extra drops, and let the blood spots dry for a minimum of two hours.

Step-by-step explanation:

For the newborn capillary draw for phenylketonuria (PKU), a phlebotomist should correctly apply the blood to filter paper. The appropriate steps are:

• Use a capillary action technique to collect the blood.
• Apply the blood to the non-printed side of the filter paper to avoid any interference with the print.
• Fill the circles on the filter paper completely with the blood from the puncture site but do not add a second drop if the circle is not full as this could cause layering and inaccurate results.
• Avoid touching the puncture site directly to the filter paper to prevent contamination.
• After applying the blood, allow the blood spots to dry at room temperature in a horizontal position for a minimum of two hours to ensure proper drying and preservation of the sample.