Problem: Baby M.S. is a 1-month-old infant and has been brought to the laboratory for a repeat PKU/newborn screening test. The laboratory receptionist has directed the baby and mother to a blood drawing room and has alerted a phlebotomist about a very young patient. Glenn is the phlebotomist who is available.
1. Would venipuncture or dermal puncture be an appropriate technique for obtaining a blood sample? Why?
2. Explain how each procedure (venipuncture, dermal puncture) is performed on an infant of this size. What precautions need to be observed?
3. What would be the best procedure for restraining the child?
4. What is PKU or newborn screening?