Clinical Medical Assistant Exam Practice Question

How long should the puncture site be cleaned with alcohol before a capillary blood collection?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Cleaning the puncture site with alcohol for 30 seconds effectively reduces the risk of contamination and infection without excessively drying the skin. This duration ensures that the antiseptic properties of the alcohol can act efficiently.

Option A (2 minutes) is excessive, as prolonged cleaning can lead to skin irritation and may dry out the skin, making puncture more difficult. Option C (10 seconds) might not provide sufficient time for the alcohol to effectively disinfect the area, increasing the risk of contamination. Option D (1 minute) is also longer than necessary, potentially leading to similar issues as option A. Thus, 30 seconds strikes the right balance for effective disinfection.

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