What type of sample is a skin puncture typically used for?

A skin puncture is typically used for obtaining a capillary blood sample. This method is common for collecting smaller volumes of blood, which is particularly useful in situations where only a small amount is needed for testing, such as in pediatric patients or during point-of-care testing.

Capillary blood samples are a mixture of arterial, venous, and capillary blood, making them suitable for various tests, including blood glucose monitoring and certain hematological assessments. The skin puncture method is less invasive and can often be more comfortable for the patient compared to venous draws, which require larger needles and have greater potential for discomfort.

In contrast, a venous blood sample involves drawing blood from a vein, typically using a larger needle, and is necessary for many laboratory tests that require larger volumes or specific types of blood analysis. Whole blood samples generally refer to blood that has not been separated into its components, while serum samples are obtained after the blood has clotted and the cells have been removed, which is not the outcome of a skin puncture. Therefore, the primary purpose of a skin puncture aligns with the need for capillary blood samples.