Equipment
■ Blood glucose meter; test strip.
■ Sterile lancet (and injector, if available).
■ Alcohol or other antiseptic pad, if required by agency policy.
■ 2 in. x 2 in. gauze pad or cotton ball.
■ Procedure gloves.
Assessment
■ Assess the patient’s understanding of the procedure.
■ Check for factors such as anticoagulant therapy or low platelet count.
■ Assess potential puncture sites for bruising, inflammation, lesions,
poor circulation, or edema.
■ Be Safe! Avoid such sites because of risk for infection and inaccurate results.
Post-Procedure Reassessment
■ Assess the puncture site for bleeding or bruising. Evaluate the patient’s understanding of the procedure and the test results.
■ Be Smart! Notify the primary care provider of abnormal test results, or administer insulin based on test results, as prescribed.
Key Points
■ Ask the patient to wash her hands with warm soap and water. Dry well with a clean towel.
■ Don procedure gloves.
■ Cleanse the patient’s finger with an alcohol prep pad if agency policy requires.
■ Prepare the lancet and meter and obtain a clean test strip that is recommended for the meter. Check the code on the container.
■ Stick the side of the patient’s fingertip.
■ Be Safe! Use a different finger each time.
■ Wipe off the first drop of blood; place the second drop on the test strip.
■ At the indicated time, read the glucose level on the digital display. (Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.)
Documentation
■ Usually you will record the test result on a flowsheet.
■ If the fingerstick is performed in response to patient symptoms, you may need to write a narrative note. Include:
■ Date and time the test was performed.
■ Whether you notified the primary care provider.
■ Any treatment given.
■ Patient teaching provided.
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| Position the injector firmly against the fingertip |
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| Place the second drop of blood on the test strip |
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| Read the result on the digital display |
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