Consolidated Political Compass Test (CPCT) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CPCT Practice Questions and Assessment Guide

Preparing for a heel stick on an infant involves several important steps to ensure the procedure is safe and effective. Warming the infant’s heel is particularly crucial because it increases blood flow to the area, making it easier to collect blood during the heel stick. A warm, damp washcloth can help dilate the capillaries and enhance venous access, thereby reducing the likelihood of complications and ensuring a smoother process.

While keeping the infant calm and still is also important for the success of the procedure, the act of warming the heel directly influences the physical factors that facilitate blood collection. Checking the infant's blood type and performing a quick assessment of the infant's vitals, while important in some contexts, are not relevant steps specifically tied to preparing for a heel stick and do not contribute to the immediate efficacy of blood collection in the way that warming does.