Final answer:
Capillary blood glucose sampling is a diagnostic procedure used to measure glucose levels in the blood, which is critical in diabetes management. Blood is collected by capillary action and either centrifuged immediately for plasma or left to clot for serum. Glucose levels are measured in mg/dL or mmol/L.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of obtaining a capillary blood glucose sample involves collecting blood through capillary action into a small diameter glass tube for medical analysis. This diagnostic procedure is frequently used for glucose monitoring, particularly in conditions such as diabetes mellitus where monitoring of blood glucose levels is crucial. The measurements given for levels of glucose in the blood are generally in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L). After blood is drawn into tubes containing anticoagulants like lithium heparin, it is centrifuged. During centrifugation, cellular components are separated, leaving plasma, which is used for analysis.
If serum is required, the blood is left to clot before centrifugation, resulting in the removal of clotting factors. For a patient with diabetes, a device such as a blood glucose meter, which provides readings within a minute, can be used for regular monitoring.which draws blood into a small diameter glass tube. The collected blood sample is then analyzed to measure the levels of glucose in the blood.