Difference in gluco checks

[laderalis]

First gluco check was done on left hand index finger, 314. VERY high for resident. After joking with her that I would do a recheck on her right pinkie finger because maybe it would be lower (because the finger is smaller), 145. normal for resident.

Why such a difference?

I used the same type of test strips, same glucometer, same type alcohol swabs.

Only thing I can think of is maybe I didn't clean her finger off good enough and there was some food or something left over that was picked up in the high reading.

[amoLucia]

My first thought was to think something was funky about the glucometer!!! Those little things take such a brutal beating with high usage, drops on the floor, and all those in-between cleanings. I have to use them on the floor but whenever I get such disparate results, I get another meter. I just don't trust those little buggers!

Also, think about operator error - was the blood drop juicy enough? A skimpy sample can give a lower reading. Did the test strips match the bottle? Frequent BIG BIG error. Are your machine calibrated/checked as required? Most places do QA checks each shift. Do a test with the hi-lo reagents. You may need to change the strips and bottle chip and try again.

Two so different readings would not be enough for me to proceed with an intervention until I was ABSOTIVELY, POSOLUTELY :redlight: comfortable with the results.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

Also, if you don't let the alcohol dry before doing the fingerstick, that can give a false high.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

A finger stick blood glucose sample that has too much interstitial fluid can result in a falsely low reading.

Also, if the patient has ever had a stroke (CVA) in the past, do not obtain the blood glucose sample on the affected side.

[RNewbie]

I dont trust the machines either. I was taught to never use the thumb or pinky because they give abnormally high and low values.

[Kittypower123, BSN, RN]

I was taught to never use the thumb or pinky because they give abnormally high and low values.

Interesting - I had not heard that before. I actually have a resident that only has a thumb and a pinky (the others have been amputated).

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Interesting - I had not heard that before. I actually have a resident that only has a thumb and a pinky (the others have been amputated).

I've been a nurse TOO long , I found that funny.

[AgentBeast, MSN, RN]

Handheld glucometers are highly inaccurate. Per the ISO standards they only need to be within plus or minus 20% of laboratory standards 95% of the time.

[Pedsnurse77]

I've been a nurse TOO long , I found that funny.

Omg me too! I've done forearms for this reason.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I use the thumb all the time. Toes sometimes, too. I'm still always in the pts normal range.

[MJeanRN]

"Milking" the finger after the stick can result in interstitial fluid being mixed with blood and causing abnormal glucometer readings as well. Make sure you're getting good circulation prior to a finger stick.

[laderalis]

I didn't "milk" the finger after. Alcohol was dry. Glucometer is checked q day. They were fingers I normally use.

I still think there must have been something on her finger. *shrug*