specimen collection for glucose monitoring Flashcards
what is used for blood glucose testing
- for blood glucose testing, clients who have diabetes mellitus use a glucometre or a blood glucose meter with small strips to “read” the blood sample
bg systems require
poper calibration
storage of supplies
matching of lot numbers
how often should u test blood
regular testing
check clients record and prescription for
- frequency and type of test
- results from previous test
- review clients medication
- note anticoagulation, history of bleeding disorders, and low platelet count
- note times and does of hypoglycemic agents
- note use of corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, beta blockers, antipsychotics, and other meds that can increase blood glucose levels
materials
- bg meter
- reagent strip compatible with meter
- washcloth and soap or antiseptic swab
- clean gloves
- sterile lancet
- cotton ball
steps to glucose monitoring
- review meter and the manufacturer’s instructions
- check strip solution expiration date
- some meters require calibration, others zero of the time
- follow manufactures directions
- explain the procedure to the client
- evaluate selected puncture site
- integrity of the skin
- compromised circulation
- perform hand hygiene and put gloves on
nursing actions
- select a site from which to collect the blood sample
- outer edge of a fingertip (most common site)
- alternate site (earlobe, heel, palm, arm, thigh)
- rotate sites to avoid ongoing tenderness
- wrap site in warm moist towel to enhance circulation, especially when it has been difficult to obtain an adequate sample
- clense the site with warm water and soap or an antiseptic swab ( not alcohol ) allow it to dry
- alcohol can interfere with results
nursing actions for prick
- hold finger in dependent position before puncturing to improve blood flow
- piece the skin using a sterile lancet and holding it perpendicular to the skin
- whipe away the first drop of blood with a cotton ball
- place a drop of blood on the test strip
- gently milk the finger to obtain a drop
- do not touch site directly to stimulate bleeding
- hold test strip
- do not smear blood onto the strip because this can cause an inaccurate reading
- allow meter to process the reading
- apply a cotton ball over the puncture site
interpretation of findings
usually a casual (random) blood glucose level greater than 200 mg/dl indicates hyperglycemia
- casual blood glucose level is obtained at any time, regardless of caloric intake
- usually, a blood glucose level less than 70 mg/dl indicates hypoglycemia
- poor storage of glucose test strips can lead to falsely high or low readings
- typically test strips come in a vial to store at room temperature or as the manufactures directs
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urine glucose testing reasons
- testing for glucose, which is useful in monitoring treatment of diabestes mellitus
- check for glucose in the urine (glucosuria) often scheduled before meals and at bedtime
- for clients who do not have diabetes mellitus, glucosuria can indicate the condition (gestational diabetes, impaired kidney, absorption of glucose, and increased intracranial pressure)
urine glucose testing nursing actions
- assess the clients ability to urinate
- verify the prescription for frequency and actions to take based on the results
- gather material and prepare the equipment
- clean urine specimen cup
- clean gloves
- towelette or soap and washcloth
steps to urine gluocse testing
- towelette soap and washcloth
- check the strips expiration date
- explain the procedure
- perform hand hygiene, and put on clean gloves
- use fresh urine for the test (urine that has been in bladder for several hours will not provide accurate results)
- have client void and discarded urine 30-40 min prior to testing
