American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) Phlebotomy Practice Exam

In what scenario would a phlebotomist choose to use a heel stick?

1. For adults needing bloodwork

2. When drawing blood from infants

3. When collecting samples for glucose tolerance tests

4. For patients with hard-to-find veins

The correct answer is: When drawing blood from infants

The choice to utilize a heel stick is specifically designed for infants, particularly neonates and small children. This method is preferred due to the delicate and underdeveloped nature of their veins, which often makes standard venipuncture challenging and increases the risk of complications. A heel stick involves puncturing the heel with a small lancet to collect a blood sample, minimizing pain and trauma while still providing adequate blood volume for testing. In contrast, drawing blood from adults typically relies on venipuncture techniques because adults have larger, more accessible veins. Collecting samples for glucose tolerance tests does not specifically require heel sticks, as those tests can be performed using traditional venipuncture methods in older children and adults. Finally, heel sticks are generally not used on patients with hard-to-find veins, as other methods of venipuncture are more appropriate and effective for adults in that scenario. Thus, the heel stick is specifically advantageous and intended for use with infants.