A lancet size larger than 3 mm is acceptable for patients with calloused fingers.

A lancet size larger than 3 mm is acceptable for patients with calloused fingers.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not stated
• D. Not sure

Answer: (B)

Choosing lancet depth is about getting a sufficient blood sample while minimizing pain and tissue injury. Use the smallest depth that yields an adequate drop of blood. A puncture deeper than 3 mm increases the risk of a painful puncture, tissue damage, and even hitting deeper structures like bone, which is especially undesirable on calloused fingers where the skin is thicker. So, using a lancet larger than 3 mm isn’t acceptable. If a patient has calloused skin, try warming the hand or massaging to improve blood flow, or puncture at the side of the fingertip with a shallow depth and only adjust if necessary, never increasing the depth beyond safe, recommended limits. The guiding principle is to minimize depth while obtaining enough blood.

Choosing lancet depth is about getting a sufficient blood sample while minimizing pain and tissue injury. Use the smallest depth that yields an adequate drop of blood. A puncture deeper than 3 mm increases the risk of a painful puncture, tissue damage, and even hitting deeper structures like bone, which is especially undesirable on calloused fingers where the skin is thicker. So, using a lancet larger than 3 mm isn’t acceptable. If a patient has calloused skin, try warming the hand or massaging to improve blood flow, or puncture at the side of the fingertip with a shallow depth and only adjust if necessary, never increasing the depth beyond safe, recommended limits. The guiding principle is to minimize depth while obtaining enough blood.