Final answer:
During a dermal puncture, the phlebotomist must avoid puncturing the calcaneus located in the heel to prevent bone infections or damage. The puncture should be shallow enough to obtain a blood sample without hitting the bone.
Step-by-step explanation:
When performing a dermal puncture, the phlebotomist must ensure that the automatic device does not puncture the calcaneus, which is located in the heel of the foot.
The calcaneus, or heel bone, is a critical area in infants and must be avoided during a dermal puncture due to the risk of bone infection (osteomyelitis) or damage. The proper technique involves puncturing the lateral plantar surface of the heel to prevent such complications and to ensure a safe procedure. The puncture should be made to a depth that is sufficient to obtain a blood sample without penetrating deeply enough to hit the bone.