11.1 Testing blood glucose
P Wear protective gloves.
P Wash or disinfect the patient’s finger and allow it to dry thoroughly.
The drop of blood does not spread so easily over dry skin.
P Use only lancing devices approved for use by healthcare profession-
als.
P Use a lancing device with adjustable penetration depth settings.
P Select a penetration depth to suit the nature of the patient’s skin.
Start with a shallow depth setting.
P Select a puncture site along the side of a fingertip.
P Turn the finger so the chosen puncture site is facing upwards, and
keep it facing upwards. The drop of blood cannot then spread so
easily.
P Lance the side of the fingertip.
P Gently massage the finger towards the fingertip to encourage a drop
of blood to form. A proper drop of blood must form.
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