What is the maximum puncture depth for full-term infants?

What is the maximum puncture depth for full-term infants?

• A. 1.0 mm
• B. 3.0 mm
• C. 4.0 mm
• D. 2.0 mm

Answer: (D)

During heel-stick collection in a full-term infant, use a shallow puncture that reaches only the capillary bed in the skin. This keeps you from penetrating bone and protecting the infant from pain and potential injury, while still allowing enough blood to be collected. Going deeper than this safe maximum risks touching the bone and causing harm, whereas puncturing too shallowly may not yield enough blood. So the best choice is the shallow depth that achieves capillary sampling without bone contact.

During heel-stick collection in a full-term infant, use a shallow puncture that reaches only the capillary bed in the skin. This keeps you from penetrating bone and protecting the infant from pain and potential injury, while still allowing enough blood to be collected. Going deeper than this safe maximum risks touching the bone and causing harm, whereas puncturing too shallowly may not yield enough blood. So the best choice is the shallow depth that achieves capillary sampling without bone contact.