American Medical Technologist (AMT) Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Resource to Guarantee Exam Success!

The initial step in preparing a blood smear for a leukocyte alkaline phosphatase (LAP) test is to perform a skin puncture and wipe away the first drop of blood. This step is crucial because it helps remove any tissue contaminants that may have been introduced during the puncture. The first drop of blood can contain varying levels of interstitial fluid, which might dilute the blood sample or introduce inaccuracies in the analysis.

By discarding the first drop, the technician ensures that the sample collected for the smear represents the patient's venous blood more accurately. This practice is standard in blood sample preparation and is essential for producing high-quality slides necessary for subsequent tests, including the LAP test.

Collecting blood via venipuncture and using a lancet are viable methods of blood collection, but the correct approach for this specific scenario involves the skin puncture and the appropriate handling of the first drop of blood. Touching the slide to the first drop without discarding it could lead to an unreliable sample, making this process a key step in ensuring the quality and accuracy of the blood smear.