Delegation Question - Glucose checks

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I seem to have run into this question a few times, especially in SATA questions. Can a nursing assistant check a blood sugar level? The answer I got to this today said that yes, that was part of the correct answer, but in the rational said that nursing assistance typically cannot do fingersticks. Is this a typo? I feel as though I have had this question a few times and each time answered it according to what I read last and every time I'm wrong!

(I know in real-world practice CNA's often routinely preform fingersticks, but in NCLEX-world?)

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I don't know in NCLEX world..that's why I am writing a response so that I can hear other peoples response to your question.

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Specializes in Case Management, Psychiatric Nursing.

i believe it depends in the state that you are in bc tht i know of In CA cna's cannot perfrom finger sticks.

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Specializes in LTC.

I believe it is agency dependant. I am allowed to perform FSBS for glucose because my hospital trained me and I must show that I am competent.

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Specializes in ICCU - cardiac.
I believe it is agency dependant. I am allowed to perform FSBS for glucose because my hospital trained me and I must show that I am competent.

I agree. The aides at my previous employer could but they cannot at my current hospital unless they r certified.

And none of them r so only RNs can.

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I agree. The aides at my previous employer could but they cannot at my current hospital unless they r certified.

And none of them r so only RNs can.

Which is why I am confused, some quizzes I have taken say yes they can and others have said they cannot :madface:

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At my hospital, only the RN can do the glucose check. Stupid inconsistency stuff. Just like in one book a lab value will differ from the next book.

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Per instructor of my NCLEX class the NCLEX is based on CNA 1's because some states do not have CNA 2's so its based on what the nation says a CNA can do not a specific hospital. When I was a CNA1 I couldn't perform fingersticks it was only the RN but CNA 2's could. So since the NCLEX is based on CNA 1 then the delegation should go to the RN that's the most safe route in case it turns out to be an emergent situation. That's how I see it.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Pedi/Tele.

I perform fingersticks and blood draws.. my title is a CNA II ....

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I perform fingersticks and blood draws.. my title is a CNA II ....

Exactly but that is per your hospital, not all CNAII's perform blood draws but do fingersticks. The NCLEX is centered around LPN/LVN, RN and CNA I.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I dont think you would get this in an NCLEX question because NCLEX must have a clear answer..one that can only be the right answer when compared to the other options. BG sticks by CNAs/UAP is determined by hospital policy.

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Now I'm confused just had a SATA question from NCLEX 4000 CD and sure enough I got it wrong. It asked about delegation to the CNA the one choice I didnt pick was perform glucose checks. I was so upset it has to be wrong, lol. The rationale basically stated that as long as the RN delegated using the 5 rights it was perfectly fine- right task and so on and so forth. This is crazy and really I hope to God they dont ask a question like this.

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