DO’s

1. Always try to explain to children what you will be doing.
2. Talk to children in a soft and reassuring manner.
3. Let children participate by holding a sticker or special band aid. The use of band aids may vary depending on institutional protocol.
4. Make sure that equipment is ready ahead of time.
5. Have the child sit on the parent’s lap so to help hold the child.
6. If necessary warm the site prior to puncturing the finger.
7. Recommended sites are the middle finger or ring finger.
8. Use a puncture device appropriate for the size of the child’s finger.
9. Always wipe away the first drop; avoid milking.
10. Know the quantity of blood needed.

Don’ts

1. Do not puncture the side or very tip of the finger. The distance between the skin surface and the bone is half as much at the side and tip as it is in the central portion of the end of the finger.
2. Do not puncture parallel to the grooves of the fingerprint. A puncture parallel to or along the lines of the fingerprint will cause blood to run down the finger rather than form a rounded drop, which makes collection difficult.
3. Do not puncture the index finger. The index finger is more calloused and, therefore harder to penetrate. The patient uses that finger more and will notice the pain longer.
4. Do not puncture the fifth or little finger. The amount of tissue between skin surface and bone is the thinnest in these fingers
5. Do not puncture fingers of infants and very young children. The amount of tissue between skin surface and bone is so small that bone injury is very likely.