Perform Capillary Puncture and Hematology Testing

Clinical and Testing Procedures

Materials Included

Text
Video
Anatomy
Simulation
Quiz

This module teaches you how to prepare for, perform, and document safe and correct techniques using capillary puncture from a variety of adult and infant collection sites.

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As a nurse or medical assistant in a doctor's office, you may be asked to perform capillary puncture to assess blood glucose, hematocrit and cholesterol levels. This module teaches you how to prepare for, perform, and document safe and correct techniques using capillary puncture from a variety of adult and infant collection sites. Including both Learn and Test modes, the online simulator offers three scenarios that test your ability to perform capillary puncture for blood glucose, hematocrit and cholesterol testing in adults and infants. Practice the steps of the procedures online as often as you want, until you feel confident. This module is based on the entry-level competencies for which the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) test the Medical Assistant.

You’ll learn

relevant medical terminology
pre-procedure and post-procedure considerations
to visualize the anatomy of the main sites for capillary puncture from the middle and ring fingers of an adult, and alternative blood collection sites in adults and infants
how to prepare for capillary puncture and correctly identify the collection site
to practice and perfect your technique for performing capillary puncture and collection, using different collection tubes
how to read a microhematocrit test, a blood glucose test and a total cholesterol test
correct recording and reporting procedures
much more (see “content details” for more specific information)

Introduction

Step 1 - Preparation

Step 1.1 - Equipment preparation

Step 1.2 - Medical assistant preparation

Step 1.3 - Patient preparation

Step 2 - Identify the appropriate collection site

Step 3 - Clean the site

Step 4 - Obtain the blood sample

Step 4.1 - Puncture the collection site

Step 4.2 - Capillary tube collection

Step 4.3 - Microtainer tube collection

Step 4.4 - Point of care testing strip collection

Step 5 - Prepare the sample for transport

Step 5.1 - Transporting capillary tubes

Step 5.2 - Transporting microtainer tubes

Step 6 - Apply the dressing

Step 7 - Microhematocrit measurement

Step 7.1 - Prepare the samples

Step 7.2 - Read the measurement

Step 7.2.1 - Using a centrifuge with a built-in microhematocrit reader

Step 7.2.2 - Using a centrifuge without a built-in microhematocrit reader

Step 8 - Blood glucose level assessment

Step 9 - Total cholesterol level assessment

Step 10 - Complete the procedure

Describe pre-procedure considerations for capillary puncture and hematology testing.
Describe and demonstrate the preparation for capillary puncture.
Describe laboratory safety according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines.
Describe and demonstrate correct identification of the collection site.
Describe and demonstrate the correct technique for performing capillary puncture and collection.
Identify and demonstrate the use of different collection tubes.
Describe and demonstrate how to perform and read a microhematocrit test.
Describe and demonstrate how to perform and read a blood glucose test.
Describe and demonstrate how to perform and read a total cholesterol test.
Describe correct post-procedure considerations.
Describe correct recording and reporting procedures.
Define and use related medical terminology.
Explain the Patient Privacy Rule (HIPAA), Patient Safety Act, and Patients' Bill of Rights.

The SIMTICS modules are all easy to use and web-based. This means they are available at any time as long as the learner has an internet connection. No special hardware or other equipment is required, other than a computer mouse for use in the simulations. Each of the SIMTICS modules covers one specific procedure or topic in detail. Each module contains:

an online simulation (available in Learn and Test modes)
descriptive text, which explains exactly how to perform that particular procedure including key terms and hyperlinks to references
2D images and a 3D model of applied anatomy for that particular topic
a step by step video demonstration by an expert
a quiz
a personal logbook that keeps track of all the modules the learner has studied and how long