Do you ever check CBGs by IV rather than capillary?

[SpudID]

Dear All,

I had a mom who was on magnesium sulfate, insulin, D5W, NS as mainline for the mag, Pitocin, and PCN q 4. She received IV labetolol for her HTN. She had two IVs because the insulin drip was not compatible with the PCN (it was according to one drug guide and not according to another? Pharmacy said to just start another IV and run the insulin from there.) She was in labor and was a VBAC. Her blood sugars had to be checked q 1 hr and q15 min when I adjusted her insulin gtt until w/in 70-120 x 2. Additionally, she had q 6 hr PET lab draws. This mom was IOL for PET, possible HELLP, and CHTN. BPs were 170/100s.

I checked her CBGs through fingersticks, but I was talking to another nurse on ICU. He said when possible he would take it from the IV. When can you do this? I thought the CBGs had to be capillary. Having said that, my gal's fingers were bruised and swollen; she had so many checks. I would love to try another option, but is there one?

Where do you all check CBGs?

Thanks,

Spud

[NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN]

Capillary blood and venous blood differ in their blood glucose content, and as such the reference ranges are not the same. If your POC instrument is calibrated for capillary blood, then you really shouldn't be using venous blood. I suggest that you contact the point-of-care coordinator, lab director or clinical pathologist at your hospital for confirmation of policies and procedures related to glucose testing.

I know our policies. I also know that the glucometer can be set for capilarry, venous, or arterial blood. Which one do you think I set it to when I check venous blood?