Testing a Blood Sample • 4
95
Getting a good capillary blood
sample
If no facility policy exists for obtaining capillary blood,
follow these recommendations:
■ Warm the hand. Have the patient hold it under his
or her arm or use a hand warmer. Wash hands with
soap and warm water, disinfect the blood collection
site. Dry thoroughly.
■ Have the patient let that arm hang down by his or
her side before lancing a finger.
■ Massage the finger from its base.
Use these techniques until the fingertip has increased
color.
■ Immediately after lancing, massage gently along
the side of the finger to obtain a sufficiently large
blood drop without pressing or squeezing too hard.
■ Apply the blood drop to the test strip immediately
(within 15 seconds).
■ Optionally, you may use a CoaguChek Capillary
tube/bulb to collect the fingerstick blood sample.
Prepare the selected blood collection site and obtain
blood from the patient per facility policy.
CAUTION
When washing and disinfecting the patient's finger, allow
it to dry thoroughly. Residues of water or disinfectant on
the skin can dilute the drop of blood and so produce
false results.
To Next Page
Loading...
