NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

In which scenario would an infant's heel stick be preferable over venipuncture?

1. When a larger volume of blood is needed

2. When testing for glucose levels

3. When the infant has prominent veins

4. When avoiding nerve damage is critical

The correct answer is: When avoiding nerve damage is critical

Choosing a heel stick for blood collection in infants is often preferred in situations where there is a significant concern about avoiding potential nerve damage. Infants, particularly newborns, have delicate anatomy, and their veins are small and easily accessible. However, using venipuncture can pose a risk of inadvertently damaging nerves or surrounding tissues, especially in an infant's small, fragile extremities. Heel sticks allow for blood collection from a less invasive site. The heel of an infant has a larger surface area for safe puncture without the risk associated with deeper venipuncture techniques. This method focuses on minimizing trauma and protecting the infant from undue harm while still obtaining the necessary samples for testing. In contrast, scenarios like needing a larger volume of blood or when veins are prominent may not align with using a heel stick, as heel sticks yield limited blood volume, and prominent veins are more efficiently accessed with venipuncture. Testing for glucose levels, while commonly performed through heel sticks, doesn't directly relate to the concern for nerve damage, as it exists mainly in the context of the infant's overall safety and comfort during the procedure.