A nurse is planning to obtain blood from a newborn via a heel stick. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

The nurse should apply a heat pack 5 to 10 minutes prior to the procedure when planning to obtain blood from a newborn via a heel stick. This helps to increase blood flow to the area and makes it easier to obtain the specimen. a) Puncturing the heel to a depth of 4 mm is too deep and can cause injury to the newborn. The recommended depth for a heel stick is 2.4 mm or less. b) Withholding feeding prior to collecting the specimen is not necessary. d) Elevating the newborn's foot for 15 minutes following the procedure is not necessary.