Fingerstick
From NursingWiki
A fingerstick is the creation of a small hole in the skin from which enough blood can be obtained to make a measurement of a whole blood level of a specificed substance. It is often the method used to obtain blood for a blood glucose level. Areas such as the ends of the finger, where there is a heavy blood supply near the skin surface, are most useful, and monitoring via fingerstick may have names such as "capillary blood glucose monitoring". Measurements from a fingerstick are normally made with a point of care device, such as a glucometer for blood glucose levels.
Contents |
Procedure for obtaining a blood glucose fingerstick
| Rationales | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obtain equipment, including gloves, alcohol prep, lancet, test strips, and glucometer. Prepare the glucometer to receive a test strip per the manufacturer's instructions. | |
| 2 | Prepare your test strip as per manufacturer's instructions. | |
| 3 | Select a portion of one finger that will cause least discomfort (usually on the side, not the tip or pad, avoid area near the nail bed as this is a sensitive area) and clean the area with alcohol. | Cleaning with alcohol before using a lancet reduces likelihood of infection at the stick site.[1] |
| 4 | Prepare the lancet. | |
| 5 | Prick the chosen finger in the area prepared with alcohol. Make sure the alcohol is dry on finger before pricking it, if there wet alcohol in the finger it will cause a stinging sensation. | |
| 6 | If there is inadequate blood, you may need to apply pressure to the finger to obtain more: apply pressure distally at the last knuckle; or, starting at the proximal end, grasp the digit with your fingertips, and, applying pressure, "milk" the finger distally. | |
| 7 | When there is an adequate amount of blood... | |
| 8 | ...absorb the blood with the test strip. (This occurs from capillary action.) | |
| 9 | Ensure that there is adequate blood on the test strip per the manufacturer's instructors. (If you have a cotton swab, you should give this to the patient to hold over the prick location.) | |
| 10 | Place the test strip in the glucometer. Depending on the type of glucometer you have, you may have to wait for some time for a result. | |
| 11 | Dispose of the lancet in a designated sharps container. | Always dispose of sharp objects or objects that can be used in IV, IM, or SQ administration in a designated hard-shelled disposable unit.[2] |
| 12 | Chart the blood glucose level. | |
| 13 | Return the glucometer to its charger/docking station, and ensure there are adequate supplies for the next person who needs to use the glucometer. |
Multimedia
Procedure for obtaining a hemoglobin fingerstick
Nursing considerations
Re-usable fingerstick blood sampling devices have been associated with nosocomial infections.[3]
Notes
- ↑ citation needed for alcohol prep
- ↑ citation needed for sharps container
- ↑ Center for Disease Control, 1997
References
- Center for Disease Control. (1997, March 14). Nosocomial hepatitis B virus infection associated with reusable fingerstick blood sampling devices -- Ohio and New York City, 1996. MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 01492195, 46(10), n.p. Retrieved 11 Mar 2008 from CINAHL Plus database.
