accucheck help

[melcolbstorm]

I am new to performing accuchecks and can't seem to get enough blood---any tips??

[FaithGurl93]

Try the side of the fingers. But sometimes it depends on the patient. From experience, the fingers that look like you won't get a lot of blood from are usually the ones where you get the most lol.

[melcolbstorm]

Ha!!Awesome!!!!

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

Use gravity (hang the patient's hand down); warm it first; use your own hand/fingers to rub the patient's fingers to bring blood down into the tips.

Hope those help :)

[NurseJay85]

Hold the lancet against the finger for a second after you activate it. Then squeeze the finger a little until you have a nice drop. The gravity tip helps too, if you can keep the hand below heart level.

[melcolbstorm]

Awesome!!Thanks!

[JDZ344]

-Ask the patient what finger they want to use- if they do their own at home they will use the ones that yield most blood :)

-Prick the finger and then set up your machine. After you set it up, squeeze along the finger a little and the blood will come.

- Use gravity

- If you have a patient you are really struggling with, wrap their hand in a warm cloth for 30 seconds before you do the test, dry and then do your pricking.

[melcolbstorm]

awesome tips, thanks!!!!!!

[summerbluesky]

Warm the patient's hand by holding it for a minute if they are cold. Then clean and get your sample. Watch for thick calluses. The side of the finger works nicely. Pinkies and thumbs are also rarely used and usually a sure thing.