capillary specimen
capillary specimen
A small blood sample taken by lancing a fingertip and placing one end of a capillary tube at the edge of the blood drop. The blood migrates up the tube by capillary action.Tests commonly performed using capillary blood:
• Point-of-care testing—e.g., blood glucose monitoring;
• Complete blood count (CBC), haemoglobin and haematocrit (H&H);
• Peripheral blood smear—manual slide for white blood cell (WBC) differential;
• Neonatal blood gases;
• Neonatal bilirubin;
• Neonatal screening (filter paper or blood spot testing);
• Electrolytes;
• Serum lead in children.