Capillary Puncture | Finger stick for Glucose Testing | Medical Assistant

Summary

The video script demonstrates a step-by-step process for performing a finger stick blood glucose test. It covers the preparation of supplies, including glucose strips, a glucometer, alcohol, gauze, band-aid, and a lancet. The narrator explains the importance of choosing the middle or ring finger, avoiding the thumb, index, and pinky. The process involves cleaning the finger with alcohol, setting up the glucometer, and using the lancet to prick the side of the chosen finger. The first drop of blood is wiped away, and the blood sample is applied to the glucometer strip for a reading. The video concludes with the application of a band-aid after the test, ensuring the viewer is informed on how to conduct a finger stick blood glucose test correctly.

Takeaways

• 🩸 The procedure described is a finger stick for a glucose check.
• 📋 The necessary supplies include glucose strips, a glucometer, alcohol, gauze, band-aid, and a lancet (small needle).
• 👐 The preferred fingers for the finger stick are the middle or ring finger, avoiding the pinky, index, and thumb.
• 🧼 The finger is cleaned with alcohol and allowed to dry before proceeding.
• 🔍 The glucometer is turned on by inserting a glucose strip, which should be done just before the finger stick.
• ⏳ The glucometer will indicate when it's ready for a blood drop by showing a drop symbol.
• 💉 The lancet is used on the lateral side of the finger, not on the top, and the first drop of blood is wiped away.
• 📈 The glucometer reads the glucose level after a few seconds, with the blood being applied to the strip.
• 🩹 After the reading, pressure is applied with gauze, and a band-aid is used to cover the puncture site.
• 🆗 A glucose level of 98 is mentioned as a good result.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the finger stick procedure described in the script?

The purpose of the finger stick procedure is to perform a glucose check, which involves testing a person's blood sugar level using a glucometer and glucose test strips.

Which fingers are recommended for a finger stick according to the script?

The script recommends using the middle finger or the ring finger, which are the third or fourth fingers, for the finger stick procedure.

Why are the pinky, index, and thumb not used for the finger stick?

The pinky, index, and thumb are not used for the finger stick because they are not the preferred fingers for this procedure, likely due to their smaller size and different sensitivity or usage in daily activities.

What is the significance of cleaning the finger with alcohol before the finger stick?

Cleaning the finger with alcohol is important to disinfect the area and prevent infection, and it also helps to ensure an accurate reading by removing any contaminants that could interfere with the test.

Why is it advised to wipe away the first drop of blood after the finger stick?

The first drop of blood should be wiped away because it may contain alcohol residue or other contaminants from the cleaning process, which could affect the accuracy of the glucose reading.

What is the role of the lancet in the finger stick procedure?

The lancet is a small needle used to puncture the skin and draw a small drop of blood for the glucose test. It is essential for obtaining the blood sample needed for the glucometer to measure blood sugar levels.

Why should the glucose test strip not be inserted into the glucometer until just before the finger stick?

Inserting the glucose test strip into the glucometer just before the finger stick ensures that the machine is ready to receive the blood sample immediately, preventing the device from going into hibernation or sleep mode due to inactivity.

How does the glucometer indicate that it is ready for a blood sample?

The glucometer indicates it is ready for a blood sample by displaying a drop of blood symbol or a similar visual cue, signaling that the device is activated and prepared to measure the glucose level.

What is the significance of applying pressure with gauze after the finger stick?

Applying pressure with gauze after the finger stick helps to stop the bleeding and ensures that the blood sample is collected without excessive blood loss, which could affect the accuracy of the test.

What is the normal range for blood glucose levels, and how does the script indicate the result of 98 is good?

A normal blood glucose level for a non-diabetic person is typically between 70 to 99 mg/dL before meals and below 140 mg/dL after meals. The script indicates that a result of 98 is good because it falls within this normal range.

Why is it important to avoid pressing on the top of the finger during the finger stick?

Pressing on the top of the finger during the finger stick should be avoided because it can cause unnecessary pain and may affect the blood flow, leading to inaccurate blood glucose readings.

Outlines

00:00

🩸 Glucose Check Procedure

The video script outlines a step-by-step process for conducting a finger stick blood glucose check. The narrator explains the necessary supplies, including glucose strips, a glucometer, alcohol, gauze, band-aids, and lancets. The preferred fingers for the test are the middle or ring finger, avoiding the thumb, index, and pinky. The process involves cleaning the finger with alcohol, setting up the glucometer, and waiting for it to be ready for a blood sample. The narrator emphasizes the importance of not pricking the finger too early and the correct technique for using the lancet, which involves pressing it to the side of the finger and not the top. After pricking, the first drop of blood is wiped away, and the blood is applied to the glucose strip for testing. The video concludes with the blood glucose result being read and a band-aid being applied to the finger.

Keywords

💡Finger stick

A finger stick, also known as a finger prick, is a procedure where a small sample of blood is collected from the fingertip using a lancet. In the context of the video, it is performed to check blood glucose levels. The script mentions using a lancet to perform the finger stick, emphasizing the importance of choosing the correct finger (middle or ring finger) and avoiding the thumb, index, and pinky.

💡Glucose check

A glucose check is a test to measure the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is crucial for individuals with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels regularly. The video script describes the process of conducting a glucose check using a glucometer and glucose strips, highlighting the steps to ensure accurate readings.

💡Glucometer

A glucometer is a device used to measure the level of glucose in the blood. It is essential for people with diabetes to manage their condition. The script explains how to set up the glucometer, insert the glucose strip, and wait for the device to indicate readiness for a blood sample.

💡Glucose strips

Glucose strips are small plastic strips coated with chemicals that react with glucose in the blood to measure blood sugar levels. The script mentions that the strips are inserted into the glucometer and should only be entered when the user is ready to perform the finger stick to prevent the device from going into sleep mode.

💡Alcohol bag

An alcohol bag contains disinfectant wipes used to clean the skin before a finger stick. The video script describes the step of cleaning the finger with an alcohol wipe and waiting for it to dry to prevent infection and ensure an accurate glucose reading.

💡Lancet

A lancet is a small, sharp needle used to puncture the skin and draw a small drop of blood for testing. The script details how to prepare and use the lancet, stressing the importance of not pressing down on the top of the finger but rather on the side to avoid excessive pain and ensure a successful sample collection.

💡Gauze

Gauze is a type of absorbent material used to wipe away the first drop of blood after a finger stick. The script explains that gauze is used to clean the area and prepare it for the next step of the procedure, which is applying the blood sample to the glucose strip.

💡Band-Aid

A Band-Aid is an adhesive bandage used to cover and protect small wounds, such as those created by a finger stick. The video script includes the step of applying a Band-Aid after the blood sample has been taken to prevent bleeding and keep the area clean.

💡Blood glucose

Blood glucose refers to the amount of glucose (sugar) present in the blood. It is a critical parameter for individuals with diabetes to monitor. The script describes the process of obtaining a blood sample and using it to measure blood glucose levels with a glucometer.

💡Hibernating/Sleep mode

In the context of the video, 'hibernating' or 'sleep mode' refers to the state a glucometer enters when it is inactive for a certain period. The script advises entering the glucose strip just before performing the finger stick to prevent the glucometer from going into sleep mode and to ensure it is ready to receive the blood sample.

💡Milk the finger

Milk the finger is a technique mentioned in the script where slight pressure is applied to the side of the finger to encourage blood flow to the surface. This is done before performing the finger stick to ensure a sufficient drop of blood for the glucose test.

Highlights

Introduction to the process of doing a finger stick for a glucose check.

List of supplies needed for the glucose check: glucose strips, glucometer, alcohol, gauze, band-aid, and lancet.

Preference for using the middle or ring finger for the finger stick, avoiding the pinky, index, and thumb.

Instructions on cleaning the finger with alcohol and waiting for it to dry before proceeding.

Setting up the glucometer and glucose strips while the alcohol dries.

Advice on not inserting the strip into the glucometer until right before the finger stick.

Demonstration of how to turn on the glucometer by inserting the strip.

Explanation of the need to wipe away the first drop of blood for accurate glucose measurement.

Procedure for preparing the lancet and ensuring it's ready for use.

Technique for 'milking' the finger to encourage blood flow before the finger stick.

Proper placement of the lancet on the lateral side of the finger for the finger stick.

Instructions on wiping away the first drop of blood and allowing the second drop to be used for the test.

Guidance on how to let the blood drop onto the glucometer for glucose level measurement.

Process of applying pressure with gauze after the finger stick to stop bleeding.

Revealing the glucose level result and assessing whether it's within a good range.

Final steps of removing gauze, checking for bleeding, and applying a band-aid to the finger.

Transcripts

alrighty So today we're going to do a

finger stick we'll be doing a glucose

check okay so we got our supplies here

we got our glucose strips our glucometer

alcohol bag gauze band-aid and

um Lancet this is the little needle

small needle that we're going to use to

do her finger stickers so of course we

know that we're going to use either the

middle finger or the ring finger in

other words we're going to use the third

or fourth finger okay we want to avoid

um the pinky the index and the thumb

okay so what I'm going to do is I'm

going to go ahead and clean her first

and while her alcohol while the alcohol

is drying I'm going to set everything

else up

so we're gonna clean her

here

wipe it from the inside out while that's

drying did you want it through that

finger was it yeah okay I'm sorry

sorry about that

yeah most people go for the middle

finger I usually go for the middle

finger too when I have to get a finger

stick okay so and one thing I want to

mention we're not on top of her finger

we're on the sides okay

all right so I'm gonna clean that let

that dry while that's drying I'm gonna

go ahead and open the Band-Aid

foreign

stuff over there to the side open up my

Band-Aid now with these strips and the

glucometer to turn it on all you have to

do is enter the strip and you don't want

to enter the strip until you're about to

stick because if you enter it too soon

it's gonna it's gonna um the machine is

going to start hibernating or going to

sleep so you only want to enter the

strip

once you're about to stick and the

Machine will let you know when it's

ready for the patient's drop of blood

okay

all right so we had to get a new

glucometer and new strips because that

machine was giving us an error message

but same thing we're going to answer the

stripping and that's what's going to

turn it on so we don't press a button or

anything like that we just enter the

strip

okay

and it's going to turn on and it'll let

us know when it's ready for the blood

you will see a drop of blood there

that's how we know this is ready for the

blood okay so using what I do I grab a

piece of gauze okay because we do have

to wipe away that first drop of blood on

the patient's finger it's ready for the

drop of blood and this is we're going

where we're going to place the patient's

blood once we stick her finger so we're

going to take

the tip off the Lancet now this Lancet

will have to press on the patient's

finger hit the button some lenses you

just press it down on the patient's

finger and a needle Will Spring out but

in this case we do have to hit the

button so what I'm doing here I'm just

kind of milking her finger just a little

and notice I'm here on the side I'm not

up I'm not on the top of her finger I'm

right here on the lateral side right

there on the lateral part of her finger

alrighty so I'm gonna just milk it just

a little

and then I'm just going to stick

okay

and

we gotta wipe away the first drop of

blood right so I'm gonna wipe that away

and then with this machine all you have

to do is allow the blood to just

there we go and it'll read it'll take a

few seconds just to read in the meantime

we're going to press there with the

gauze and have the patient apply

pressure

and her glucose is 98 is that good

that's good all right and so now we've

done her finger stick so now what I'm

gonna do I'm going to just remove the

gauze there make sure it's not bleeding

anymore remove the gauze and then I'll

put a Band-Aid on

all right