Equipment used Needles, syringes and heparinized collecting tubes. Sterile, disposable equipment prevents contamination or spread of infection. There is no risk of becoming infected with the hepatitis virus, AIDS virus or any other infecting germ. Description of test Test requires four blood samples. Operator gives you a test dose of 50g of lactose dissolved in 400ml water.
Children take smaller doses.
Skin over the vein to be stuck is cleaned with alcohol or other antiseptic on a piece of cotton. When blood is drawn from a vein, the operator feels the vein to be used then punctures both the skin and vein in one quick stroke. The needle used is a sterile, disposable needle attached to a sterile, disposable syringe. Tubes are treated with an anti-coagulant chemical to prevent clotting. If blood is collected from a finger, heel or ear lobe, skin over the selected site is cleaned with an antiseptic.