What type of procedure is described as a small puncture made in the skin to obtain capillary blood?

The procedure described as a small puncture made in the skin to obtain capillary blood is known as a skin puncture. This technique is commonly employed in various medical scenarios, particularly when a quick assessment of blood glucose levels is required or when only a small sample is needed for testing.

During a skin puncture, a specialized device, often referred to as a lancet, is used to create a quick, controlled puncture in the skin, typically on the fingertip or heel (in infants). This method allows for the extraction of capillary blood, which is the blood obtained from the tiny capillaries close to the surface of the skin.

In contrast, other procedures like venipuncture involve accessing a vein to draw larger volumes of blood, and arterial punctures are used for obtaining blood from arteries, often for blood gas analysis. A biopsy, on the other hand, is a more invasive procedure aimed at collecting tissue samples rather than blood. Thus, the definition of the procedure aligns perfectly with the characteristics of a skin puncture, making it the correct choice.