True or False: Scooping blood off the finger can cause hemolysis during capillary punctures.

Scooping blood off the finger during capillary punctures can indeed cause hemolysis, which is the breakdown of red blood cells. When blood is scooped with a device or finger after collection, the mechanical force and shear stress applied can damage the red blood cells, leading to hemolysis. This is particularly prominent in capillary blood samples, as they are more susceptible to damage compared to venous samples.

In practice, it is crucial to avoid any actions that might cause excessive trauma to the blood sample, as hemolysis can affect the accuracy of laboratory results by altering analyte concentrations. For example, hemolysis can falsely elevate potassium levels and lead to misleading findings, potentially impacting patient care. It is strongly advised to collect capillary samples carefully and to allow blood to flow freely, without excessive manipulation, to preserve sample integrity.