Should I Quit or Give up? Glucometer Failure ?

[cj_94]

I'm a second year Nursing student at the end of my 5th clinical rotation with IP next month. The reason why I'm asking this question is because I'm inept when it comes to using a glucometer. The steps to set it up are straightforward and I do them properly which includes scanning the patients armband after logging in using the code, cleaning the patients finger, pricking the finger to draw blood and squeezing the finger to allow a little more blood to come to the surface of the skin. The next step Im completely inept at which is using the strip I either only fill it up half way or if I do fill it the scanner doesn't read. Due to my ineptitude at a simple task should I drop out?

[heron, ASN, RN]

Warm the hand

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

On 12/20/2020 at 1:40 AM, cj_94 said:

Thanks everyone! I had to practice a few times the bigger issue for me is being able to get enough blood to the surface of the skin.

Warm the hand, hang arm down below heart level so gravity is your friend, and just keep "milking" the finger downward, firmly. Sometimes a tiny drop becomes a big one after a little effort and perseverance LOL so don't give up too quickly and poke again, unless pt has a lot of callouses and the lancet didn't even break the skin.

[rjones416]

I used to have this problem....press harder when pricking the patient so you can get more blood to come out. The strip will fill up easily now. You're welcome :)

[SilverBells, BSN]

My opinion is you just haven’t found the technique that works for you.  Practice outside of clinicals.  Ask for various opinions from people you know until you find a method that works.  I actually had a little difficulty with this myself until it suddenly just clicked.   As a nurse, more than likely you’ll encounter many diabetics or other people requiring blood sugars that you’ll have plenty of opportunities to master this and eventually won’t have to think much when you’re doing it. Good luck! ?

[LittleIncognito, BSN, RN]

You will get it with practice. DO NOT QUIT. This is an entire career, there are many other aspects to it, do not let this one little area (that you have no experience in) cause you to quit. No way.

[Royalq]

Pick a better finger that gives more blood. For alot of diabetics they have a tendency to use their index or middle fingers making those more scarred, calloused and hard to draw blood. Pick the inner side of the pinky. No one uses it, its soft and fleshy and almost guaranteed to give lots of blood. If not the pinky then the ring finger. Those two are rarely used and are less calloused than thw other three. You can ask/suggest by saying “can I use you pinky finger?”. Then alcohol wipe, prick then firmly squeeze.  Steady the glucometer and touch it gently to the blood. The glucometer should suck up what it needs. Then firmly hold a gauze to the site. 
 

the issue is probably you are picking a finger that is too calloused and its not giving enough blood or you arent squeezing hard enough. Examine the hands before beginning. Note if some are more calloused or thick skinned than other. Using their non-dominant hand is also a good way. Then prick the side not the pad. Not towards the tips because that too can be calloused more more towards the first knuckle notch. Also the glucometer times out very quickly if its left half filled. It's won't wait for you to find more blood. So load the strip, pick the pinky on the non-dominant hand, alcohol wipe, prick the inner side (side facing the ring finger), then firmly squeeze for a second. Place the strip to the blood and it should take up all that it needs. don't immediately place the strip at the first sign of blood, give it a firm squeeze. Watch other people do it or Youtube videos and pay attention to how much blood they wait for before proceeding to put it on the strip.