In capillary collection for infants, which site is appropriate?

Prepare for the CAMLPR Specimen Collection Competency Test. Practice with diverse question sets including multiple-choice and flashcards. Each question includes hints and explanations to help you become proficient before the exam.

In infants, capillary blood collection is chosen because their veins are small and harder to access, so a quick, minimally invasive puncture of a capillary bed is preferred. The heel is the standard site for newborns and young infants, typically the outer (lateral) aspect of the heel, because it provides reliable capillary blood with a shallow puncture and minimizes risk when performed correctly. The other sites listed are venous access points that require venipuncture to draw blood; they involve larger vessels and are more invasive or impractical for routine capillary collection in infants. Dorsal hand and antebrachial veins are used for venipuncture in older children or adults, and the jugular vein is not a routine or safe choice for blood collection in infants.