Capillary sample
Alternative names:
blood sample - capillary; fingerstick; heelstick
What the risks are:
- excessive bleeding
- fainting or feeling lightheaded
- hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
- multiple punctures to locate veins
Special considerations:
Blood tests are most commonly performed on blood from a vein (venipuncture). The results of capillary testing may be very accurate for some tests, but for other tests they may be less accurate.
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