CAP Pro Course - Point-of-Care Testing - Whole Blood Glucose Testing

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Author: Alice Travanty, MT(ASCP)
Reviewer: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBTCM

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Demonstrate awareness of the important safety issues involved in the use of blood glucose meters.
  • Describe the correct procedure for obtaining an acceptable sample for use with a blood glucose meter.
  • Show knowledge of testing procedures and results obtained using a blood glucose meter.
  • Explain the limitations of the glucose meters.

Course Outline

  • Demonstrate awareness of the important safety issues involved in the use of blood glucose meters.
      • Infection Control
      • Hand Hygiene
      • If a glucose meter is not cleaned after use, how long can the hepatitis B virus remain on the meter?
      • All of the following statements about the use of hand sanitizer are correct, except?
      • After performing a POC fingerstick glucose, an operator removes his gloves and washes his hands. For how long should his hands be washed?
      • A nurse is about to perform a fingerstick glucose on a patient. The nurse removes three test strips from the vial and places them on the patient's bed...
      • A nurse enters a patient's room to perform a point-of-care (POC) whole blood glucose test. The patient's roommate also has a fasting glucose ordered. ...
      • An instrument operator tests two levels of control material on a glucose meter. The operator then cleans the meter and uses it to test a patient's glu...
  • Describe the correct procedure for obtaining an acceptable sample for use with a blood glucose meter.
      • Patient Identification
      • Choosing an appropriate site for capillary puncture
      • Preparation of Puncture Site
      • Specimen Collection
      • A phlebotomist is called to the nursery to perform a heelstick on an infant. What area of the heel should she use as the puncture site?
      • Which of the following will produce the best sample for a fingerstick glucose?
      • A nurse uses a lancet for a fingerstick. No blood appears on the patient's finger. All of the following procedures would help to obtain blood flow, ex...
      • Before performing a fingerstick glucose, a nurse asks a clinic patient “Are you Joe Smith? And is your birthday 4/9/52?" Which of the following ...
      • A POC whole blood glucose measurement is required on an inpatient. Which of the following would be acceptable for patient identification prior to test...
  • Show knowledge of testing procedures and results obtained using a blood glucose meter.
      • Test Preparation
      • Performing Quality Control
      • Performing Patient Testing
      • Reporting Patient Results
      • Which of the following is not necessary to ensure that glucose control vials are suitable for use?
      • If the glucose meter you are using does not start after you apply blood to the strip, what could be the cause of this?
      • The results of a fingerstick glucose are critical. When calling the result to the caregiver, all of the following need to be reported, except?
      • An infant in NICU has a heelstick glucose done. The baby's nurse does not believe the result. What is the best way to confirm the result?
      • What operator ID would a temporary, short-term health care worker (such as an agency nurse) use for glucose meter operation?
  • Explain the limitations of the glucose meters.
      • Appropriate Uses of Point-of-Care (POC) Glucose Testing
      • Sources of Error When Performing Whole Blood Glucose Testing
      • Off-Label Use of Glucose Meters
      • A hospital is using a glucose meter that is not approved for use on critical patients. The meter is being used on all of their ICU patients. What does...
      • If a test is classified as highly complex, who may perform the test?
      • Your hospital is using a glucose meter that is not approved for use on critical patients. Which of the following patients could his meter be used on?
      • A glucose result of 350 mg/dL was obtained using a bedside glucose meter on a diabetic patient receiving an intravenous immunoglobulin infusion. The p...
      • A patient who has been diagnosed with polycythemia has an order for a point-of-care (POC) capillary whole blood glucose test. Knowing that a patient w...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS, MT, and MLT personnel, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author Information: Alice Travanty, MT(ASCP) was the Point-of-Care Coordinator for St. Joseph Hospital, Milwaukee, Wisconsin until her recent retirement from that position. She serves as a technical consultant for Tosa Pediatrics. Alice is the author of article "Connectivity Aids Compliance" in Advance for Administrators of Laboratory Vol 20, Issue 11, page 18. She graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Medical Technology and holds a Point-of-Care Specialist certificate from AACC.
Reviewer Information: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBTCM, has over 20 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist, section supervisor, and laboratory manager. He is the former Director of Clinical Laboratory Technology Program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. He is currently a Program Director at MediaLab, Inc. Alex holds BS degrees in Biology and Medical Technology from Clark Atlanta University and an MBA from the University of Georgia.

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