What is the recommended container for capillary blood collection?

The recommended container for capillary blood collection is glass microhematocrit tubes. These tubes are specifically designed for collecting small volumes of blood, which is ideal in capillary collection. The use of glass microhematocrit tubes helps to minimize the risk of contamination and provides accurate results when measuring hematocrit levels, which is crucial in various laboratory analyses.

Glass materials are also often preferred in laboratory settings due to their inert nature, preventing reactions with the sample that could alter results. The narrow diameter of microhematocrit tubes allows for efficient blood flow and minimizes specimen dilution, which is particularly important given the small volume of blood typically obtained from capillary sites.

Other options, while used in various contexts, don't offer the same advantages for capillary blood collection. Plastic test tubes may not provide the same level of accuracy or chemical stability for certain assays. Metal containers are generally unsuitable for biological samples due to the potential for reactivity and contamination. Cardboard holders do not possess the necessary properties to securely contain a sample or facilitate accurate testing. Thus, glass microhematocrit tubes stand out as the optimal choice for this specific type of blood collection.