| Term | Definition |
|---|
| equipment | blood glucose meter, sterile lancet, cotton balls or gauze squares, testing strips, nonsterile gloves, alcohol swab or soap/water |
| check pt record for monitoring schedule | confirms times; judgment may lead to more frequent testing based on pt condition |
| prepare lancet using aseptic techniques | maintains sterility |
| remove test strip, recap container immediately | protects strips from humidity, light discoloration |
| check that code numbers from strip & monitor screen match | ensures machine is calibrated properly |
| massage side of finger toward puncture site | encourages blood flow (adults only) |
| have pt wash hands or use alcohol swab | cleans puncture site, warm water encourages vasodilation |
| allow alcohol to completely dry | can interfere with accuracy of results, if not done |
| hold lancet perpendicular nd prick | facilitates proper skin penetration |
| wipe away first blood drop, if recommended | it may be contaminated by serum or cleansing product and produce inaccurate reading |
| lower hand, use of gravity, stroke finger (if necessary) | encourages bleeding, creates appropriate size drop for proper testing |
| do not squeezed finger or puncture site or touch site | may cause injury to pt and alter results |
| touch blood (not finger) to pad on test strip w/out smearing | may produce inaccurate reading |
| press time button | ensures accurate timing and results |
| apply pressure to site w/cotton ball (not alcohol wipes) | this causes hematosis (other stings and may prolong bleeding) |
| put lancet in sharps container | prevents exposure to blood and needle sticks |
| use gloves | protects RN from exposure to blood or body fluids |
| check lancet depth | keeps pt from getting pricked too deeply |
Combine with other sets
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