Reduction of Risk Potential
A nurse is performing a capillary blood glucose test on a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which technique should the nurse use?
- APuncture the center of the fingertip pad right after applying alcohol.
- BSqueeze the fingertip firmly to produce a large drop of blood.
- CPuncture the side of a fingertip after the cleaned site has dried.
- DPuncture the fingertip of the arm that has an IV infusing.
Not A. The center pad is more painful, and puncturing before the alcohol dries can give inaccurate readings.
C is right. The side of the fingertip has fewer nerve endings, so it is less painful, and the alcohol must dry completely because wet alcohol can dilute the sample and alter the result.
