What is the potentially serious consequence of a lancet hitting the bone during a dermal puncture?

When a lancet inadvertently strikes the bone during a dermal puncture, one of the serious consequences that can arise is osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone that can occur if bacteria enter through the puncture site, especially when the underlying bone is exposed or compromised during the procedure. This infection can lead to severe complications, including bone destruction and systemic infection if not properly managed.

In similar situations, while sepsis is a systemic response to infection that can develop from any infection, including osteomyelitis, it is not directly the result of the lancet impacting the bone itself. Dermatitis refers to skin inflammation, typically unrelated to puncturing a bone, and thrombosis involves clot formation within the blood vessels, which is not a concern in this context. Osteomyelitis represents the direct risk associated with penetrating the bone during a lancet procedure, making it the most relevant and serious consequence in this scenario.