Pre-analytical Challenges Encountered with Capillary Blood Collection and Testing (Online CE Course)

(based on 585 customer ratings)

Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)^CM, PBT^CM
Reviewer: Kevin McNeil, MBA-HCA, MLS(ASCP)^CM

How to Subscribe

MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package Includes 179 CE courses, most popular	$109	Add to cart
Pick Your Courses Up to 8 CE hours	$55	Add to cart
Phlebotomy CE Package	$59	Add to cart
Individual course	$25	Add to cart

Need multiple seats for your university or lab? Get a quote

Users Also Bought

MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package

Exam Simulator (MLS, MT, MLT)

Histology CE Package

It is very important that the healthcare providers collecting and testing capillary samples are properly trained and adhere to the policies and procedures in order to reduce errors and ensure quality results. Test results are only as good as the sample used for testing. This course is meant to help with such challenges and will point out where care needs to be taken at the different steps along the way in order to avoid pre-analytical errors.

See all available courses

Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1 hour(s)

Approved through 2/28/2026

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel Credit Hours - General: 1 hour(s)

Approved through 2/28/2026

Objectives

Describe the composition of capillary blood, how it differs from venous blood, and how tests results may or may not differ from venous blood tests.
Outline the reasons for performing capillary blood tests, including the advantages and disadvantages.
Describe the proper puncture sites for heel and finger capillary blood collection.
Identify errors that should be avoided during capillary blood collection.
Identify errors that should be avoided during transport and storage of capillary specimens.

Customer Ratings

(based on 585 customer ratings)

Course Outline

Click on the links below to preview selected pages from this course.

Introduction

Introduction to Capillary Blood Collection and Testing
Composition of Capillary Blood
Testing Situations When Capillary Blood Collection is Appropriate
Common Tests Performed on Capillary Blood
Testing Situations When Capillary Blood Collection is Not Appropriate
What is capillary blood composed of?
When is capillary blood collection appropriate?

Types of equipment needed specifically for capillary blood collection

Special Devices for Capillary Blood Collection
Capillary Blood Gas Equipment
If a patient's dermal collection site is cyanotic (bluish in color due to reduced blood circulation), how should the phlebotomist proceed?
During the capillary blood gas collection process, what is the purpose of the metal "flea?"

Common steps for finger and heel capillary collection

Typical Sites for Capillary Blood Collection
Supplies and Equipment
Identification of Patient
Diet Restrictions
Effect of Stress on Capillary Blood Collections and Test Results
Positioning the Patient
Site Selection
Site Cleansing
Site Puncture
Filling and Mixing Collection Tubes
Order of Draw
In which order should the following capillary specimens be collected according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)?
When performing a heel puncture on an infant, how deep should the puncture be?

Specimen handling

Labeling Capillary Blood Specimens
Specimen Transport
Effects of Clotting on the Capillary Blood Sample
Effects of Temperature on the Capillary Blood Sample
Effects of Hemolysis on the Capillary Blood Sample
Effects of Light on Specimens
Specimen Storage
Which of the following scenarios is NOT a concern for a phlebotomist when collecting a bilirubin specimen from a neonate?
Which of the following analytes will be falsely increased, and which will be falsely decreased due to hemolysis?

References

References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Beginning

Intended Audience: This course is intended for phlebotomists, phlebotomy supervisors, patient care coordinators, medical laboratory technicians, medical technologists, laboratory supervisors, managers, and directors. This course is also appropriate for medical laboratory science students and pathology residents.

Author Information: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)^CM, PBT^CM, has over 20 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist, section supervisor, and laboratory manager. He is the former Director of Clinical Laboratory Technology Program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. He is currently a Program Director at MediaLab, Inc. Alex holds BS degrees in Biology and Medical Technology from Clark Atlanta University and a MBA from the University of Georgia.

Reviewer Information: Kevin McNeil, MBA-HCA, MLS(ASCP)^CM received a Masters in Business Administration in Healthcare Administration in 2011 from South University in Atlanta, Georgia and his BS degree in Medical Laboratory Science from the Medical College of Georgia. He is currently a Senior Systems Analyst at Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Kevin had been employed with Gwinnett since 2006, working as a generalist and previously as a Phlebotomy Supervisor.