What is a consequence of excessive massaging or milking of the finger during a skin puncture procedure?

Excessive massaging or milking of the finger during a skin puncture procedure can cause hemolysis and contamination of the specimen with tissue fluids. When blood is obtained via a skin puncture, any vigorous manipulation of the site can break apart red blood cells, leading to hemolysis, which can compromise the integrity of the sample. Furthermore, massaging the area can cause interstitial fluid, which contains tissue fluid and may dilute or alter the characteristics of the blood sample, to mix with the blood obtained, leading to contamination. This can significantly affect the accuracy of test results, making it crucial for phlebotomy technicians to handle the puncture site gently and carefully to ensure high-quality specimens.