Question

A nurse is teaching a client who has a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus about how to perform capillary blood glucose testing. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

a. choose a puncture site next to a bone
b. wrap your finger in a cold compress for 5 minutes prior to collecting the specimen
c. place the lancet at a 45 degree angle to the skin
d. use a drop of blood large enough to cover the pad on the reagent strip

Answer 1

When performing capillary blood glucose tests, patients should pierce the sides of their fingers to avoid stimulating pain receptors and use a lancet correctly to obtain a sufficient blood drop for an accurate reading on the reagent-impregnated pad.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct instruction the nurse should include for capillary blood glucose testing is:

d. Use a drop of blood large enough to cover the pad on the reagent strip.

When performing capillary blood glucose testing, it's essential to use a drop of blood that is sufficient to cover the pad on the reagent strip of the glucose meter. This ensures an accurate reading of the blood glucose level. It's advisable not to choose a puncture site next to a bone, as it may cause discomfort or potential injury. Wrapping the finger in a cold compress before collecting the specimen may decrease blood flow, making it more difficult to obtain an adequate blood sample. Placing the lancet at a 45-degree angle to the skin is generally recommended for proper skin penetration during the puncture. However, the amount of blood needed to cover the test strip pad is the most critical instruction for accurate glucose readings.