Where should a heel stick be performed in infants?

• A. On the heel pad near the center
• B. Medially extending from the middle of the great toe to the heel and laterally from the fourth and fifth toe to the heel
• C. On the heel bone
• D. Only on the plantar surface of the foot

Answer: (B)

Heel sticks in infants are performed on the soft tissue of the plantar heel, specifically along the medial and lateral edges rather than in the center. Puncturing the side areas from under the big toe toward the heel and from under the little toes toward the heel places you in vascular-rich tissue while avoiding the underlying bone, reducing pain and the risk of bone injury. Puncturing the center of the heel pad or directly on the heel bone increases the chance of hitting bone and causing harm. While the plantar surface is the general area, the safest and most effective site is the medial and lateral edges of the plantar heel, matching the described approach.