Deep penetrating nevus: A distinct variant of melanocytic nevus.

Deep penetrating nevus (DPN) is a variant of melanocytic nevus which goes unrecognized due to its relative rarity and may be misinterpreted as malignant melanoma. It commonly presents in young adults as a dark pigmented lesion on the face, neck, or shoulder. A 60-year-old lady presented with a mole over the left arm of 8 years duration. A biopsy of the lesion was performed under the clinical impression of a compound nevus with suspicion of malignancy. Based on the histologic features, a diagnosis of DPN was put forward.

Procedure of venepuncture for blood donation and arterial blood sampling.

Blood banks use various processes to prevent infections that can be transmitted by blood donation. One important measure to prevent infection is to recruit donors from populations that are known to have low rates of infection for blood borne diseases, such as voluntary, unpaid donors and people with no history of intravenous drug use. A second measure is to ask donors a series of additional screening questions (these will vary by region) to help identify those who may be at higher risk of infection. Phlebotomists must adhere strictly to the rules for including and excluding blood donors. The process for collecting blood from donors is similar to that used for blood sampling; however, a few additional measures are required for collection of donated blood. These measures are primarily to ensure patient safety, but also to minimize exogenous contamination of a donated blood unit or its derived components, particularly contamination from the skin flora of the donor’s arm.

Basic procedure of venepuncture in paediatric and adult patients: a review.

Venepuncture is the preferred method of blood sampling for term neonates and causes less pain than heel-pricks. The choice of site and procedure (venous site, finger-prick or heel-prick – also referred to as “capillary sampling” or “skin puncture”) depends on the volume of blood needed for the procedure and the type of laboratory test to be done. Venepuncture is the method of choice for blood sampling in term neonates; however, it requires an experienced and trained phlebotomist. If a trained phlebotomist is not available, the physician may need to draw the blood sample. The blood from a capillares is similar to an arterial blood in oxygen content, and is suitable for only a limited number of tests because of its higher likelihood of contamination with skin flora and smaller total volume.

General procedure of phlebotomy: a review.

Phlebotomy – the drawing of blood – has been practiced for centuries and is still one of the most common invasive procedures in health care. However, practice varies considerably between countries and between institutions and individuals within the same country. By its nature, phlebotomy has the potential to expose health workers and patients to blood from other people, putting them at risk from blood borne pathogens. These pathogens include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and dengue. If a blood sample is poorly collected, the results may be inaccurate and misleading to the clinician and the patient may have to undergo the inconvenience of repeat testing.