The incision on a finger stick should be made to the fingerprints in the distal phalanx

The proper location on the 3rd or 4th finger of the non-dominant hand for performing a fingerstick is outlined here between the green lines. The puncture should be made just off center and perpendicular to the fingerprint ridges. (A puncture parallel to the ridges tends to make the blood run down the ridges and hamper collection.)

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The fingerstick device should be held firmly against the puncture site. To obtain the best capillary specimen using the finger, align the puncture device perpendicular (horizontal) to the whorls of the fingerprint. This cross-cut of the fingerprint whorls causes the blood to bead at the puncture site, allowing the phlebotomist to efficiently collect the drops of blood into the container. This image illustrates the correct position of the cut in relation to the fingerprint lines.

The incision on a finger stick should be made to the fingerprints in the distal phalanx

If the puncture is made parallel to the fingerprint whorls (as shown below), the blood will not bead, but rather it will travel down the channels between the lines of the fingerprint. This makes it difficult to collect the blood into the container. The phlebotomist may inadvertently "scrape" the blood from the skin while filling the container, resulting in hemolysis and/or clotting of the specimen.

The incision on a finger stick should be made to the fingerprints in the distal phalanx

The tip of the finger should be avoided. Puncturing the fingertip may cause unnecessary discomfort to the patient.

When performing an incision for a fingerstick collection the cut should be made?

The puncture should be made just off center and perpendicular to the fingerprint ridges. (A puncture parallel to the ridges tends to make the blood run down the ridges and hamper collection.)

Which way should the puncture be oriented to the fingerprints?

To obtain the best capillary specimen using the finger, align the puncture device perpendicular (horizontal) to the whorls of the fingerprint. This cross-cut of the fingerprint whorls causes the blood to bead at the puncture site, allowing the phlebotomist to efficiently collect the drops of blood into the container.

What finger do you use for a fingerstick?

Note: The best locations for finger sticks are the 3rd and 4th fingers of the non-dominant hand.

When the finger is used as a puncture site The lancet should be positioned?

Hold the finger in an upward position and lance the palm-side surface of the finger with proper-size lancet (adult/child). Press firmly on the finger when making the puncture. Doing so will help you to obtain the amount of blood you need.