What are the different reasons for taking capillary blood samples and what these tests called?

Reasons for taking capillary blood samples:

- To measure blood glucose levels in people with diabetes

- To perform rapid diagnostic tests for infections, such as malaria, HIV, and syphilis

- To screen newborns for genetic disorders, such as phenylketonuria (PKU) and sickle cell anemia

- To monitor blood clotting times in people taking anticoagulant medications

- To measure the levels of certain hormones, such as thyroid hormone and cortisol

- To detect drug overdose or poisoning

- To check for anemia

- To detect the presence of infection

- To measure blood gases and acid-base balance

Tests that are performed on capillary blood samples:

- Glucose test: Measures the level of glucose in the blood.

- Hemoglobin test: Measures the amount of hemoglobin in the blood.

- Hematocrit test: Measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood.

- White blood cell count: Measures the number of white blood cells in the blood.

- Platelet count: Measures the number of platelets in the blood.

- Coagulation tests: Measure how long it takes for blood to clot.

- Infectious disease tests: Test for the presence of infectious diseases, such as HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis.

- Genetic tests: Test for genetic disorders, such as sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis.

- Drug tests: Test for the presence of drugs in the blood.

- Blood gas tests: Measure the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

- Acid-base balance: Measures the pH level of the blood.