What is blood tap?

Blood tap is a term that can refer to different procedures in medical practice, depending on the context. Here are some possible meanings of blood tap:

1. Blood tap can mean a lumbar puncture or spinal tap, which is a procedure that involves inserting a needle into the lower back to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnosis or treatment of various conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord. Sometimes, the needle may accidentally puncture a blood vessel and cause blood to mix with the CSF, resulting in a bloody or traumatic tap.
2. Blood tap can also mean an abdominal tap or paracentesis, which is a procedure that involves inserting a needle into the abdomen to drain excess fluid that accumulates due to liver disease, infection, cancer, or other causes. The fluid is then analyzed for diagnosis or treatment of the underlying condition. Sometimes, the needle may cause bleeding in the abdomen, resulting in a bloody or complicated tap.
3. Blood tap can also refer to a blood collection device that uses a bladeless technology to collect whole, capillary blood from the fingertip with minimal pain and discomfort. The blood sample can then be processed at any central lab for clinical trials or wellness testing.