Anatomy & TerminologyQuestion 92 of 100

Which statement about arterial, venous and capillary blood is correct?

a.Arterial blood is collected routinely for a CBC
b.Venous blood is bright red because it carries nutrients
c.Capillary blood is identical in composition to venous blood
d.Arterial blood is bright red and oxygen rich, venous blood is darker, and capillary blood is a mixture of both plus interstitial fluid

Explanation

Oxygenated arterial blood appears bright red, deoxygenated venous blood appears darker, and capillary blood collected by dermal puncture mixes arterial and venous blood with interstitial and intracellular fluid. Because of that mixture, capillary glucose tends to run higher and capillary potassium and total protein lower than venous values. Routine hematology and chemistry use venous blood; arterial puncture is reserved for blood gases and is outside the entry-level phlebotomy scope.

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