A fingerstick puncture should be performed on the side or fingertip.

A fingerstick puncture should be performed on the side or fingertip.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Depends on patient
• D. Not stated

Answer: (B)

For fingerstick blood collection, you should puncture the side of the fingertip, not the center pad. The side offers a target with fewer nerve endings and a more accessible capillary bed, so a shallow puncture there tends to be less painful and easier to obtain an adequate blood drop. Puncturing the fingertip pad—the central pad—tends to be more painful and can cause more tissue trauma, and it may increase the chance of collecting tissue fluid or causing bruising, which can affect test results. Therefore, saying you can puncture on the side or on the fingertip (the center pad) isn’t accurate; the side is the preferred site.

For fingerstick blood collection, you should puncture the side of the fingertip, not the center pad. The side offers a target with fewer nerve endings and a more accessible capillary bed, so a shallow puncture there tends to be less painful and easier to obtain an adequate blood drop. Puncturing the fingertip pad—the central pad—tends to be more painful and can cause more tissue trauma, and it may increase the chance of collecting tissue fluid or causing bruising, which can affect test results. Therefore, saying you can puncture on the side or on the fingertip (the center pad) isn’t accurate; the side is the preferred site.