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When collecting a blood sample with a capillary tube, the phlebotomist should ________.

A. allow blood to flow by capillary action
B. milk the puncture site
C. scoop the blood into the tube
D. reapply alcohol to promote blood flow

Answer :

Final answer:

When using a capillary tube for blood collection, a phlebotomist should allow the blood to flow through capillary action. This is when the blood is drawn up the tube due to the adhesive forces outweighing the force of gravity. Other methods like milking the site, scooping blood, or using alcohol are not advised.

Explanation:

When collecting a blood sample with a capillary tube, the phlebotomist should allow blood to flow by capillary action. This is related to a scientific principle called capillary action, where the blood spontaneously ascends the tube due to the adhesive forces between the molecules in the blood and those on the glass surface of the tube outweighing the downward force of gravity. The extent of capillary action is also influenced by the tube's diameter, with smaller tubes offering a larger surface area for a given volume of blood, which means larger relative attractive forces capable of drawing the blood farther up the tube.

This method is routinely used in medical tests and procedures that require a small amount of blood, such as blood glucose tests in diabetes, or hematocrit level assessments in athletes.

It is important to note that the other options listed - milking the puncture site, scooping the blood into the tube, or reapplying alcohol to promote blood flow - are not recommended as they may introduce errors or contamination into the process.

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