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In pediatric blood draws, under _____ years of age, draws are done predominantly in the ____ vein.

User Merch
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Pediatric blood draws for children under 2 years of age are typically performed using the heel vein, employing a heel stick technique, where blood is collected using capillary action.

Step-by-step explanation:

In pediatric blood draws, for children under 2 years of age, draws are done predominantly in the heel vein. This practice is primarily due to the anatomical and physiological considerations in infants and small children, where the veins are not as developed as in older children and adults. In these cases, a technique known as heel stick is often employed, where a small incision is made in the infant's heel and blood is collected through capillary action into a small diameter glass tube, as indicated in Figure 10.21 of the source material. It is crucial to manage the procedure carefully to minimize the risk of substantial blood loss, with a parameter being if there is a risk of at least 500 ml, or 7 ml/kg of body weight in children, appropriate access and fluids must be prepared.

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