Documentation and Reporting
Documentation and Reporting ( 6 Questions)
A nurse is teaching a client who has diabetes mellitus about self-monitoring of blood glucose levels at home.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
The nurse should instruct the client to wash their hands with warm water and soap before testing, as this helps to prevent infection and remove any substances that may interfere with the accuracy of the test result.
This is an incorrect instruction, as using alcohol wipes to clean the finger can dry out and irritate the skin, and may also affect the test result if the alcohol is not completely dry before pricking.
This is an incorrect instruction, as squeezing the finger firmly can cause hemolysis or dilution of the blood sample, leading to inaccurate readings. The client should apply gentle pressure to the finger after pricking it.
This is an incorrect instruction, as choosing a different finger for each test throughout the day can increase the risk of infection and pain. The client should rotate the testing sites within one finger or use alternate sites, such as the forearm or palm.
"Wash your hands with warm water and soap before testing."
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client to wash their hands with warm water and soap before testing, as this helps to prevent infection and remove any substances that may interfere with the accuracy of the test result.
Incorrect options:
B) "Use alcohol wipes to clean your finger before pricking it." - This is an incorrect instruction, as using alcohol wipes to clean the finger can dry out and irritate the skin, and may also affect the test result if the alcohol is not completely dry before pricking.
C) "Squeeze your finger firmly to obtain a drop of blood." - This is an incorrect instruction, as squeezing the finger firmly can cause hemolysis or dilution of the blood sample, leading to inaccurate readings. The client should apply gentle pressure to the finger after pricking it.
D) "Choose a different finger for each test throughout the day." - This is an incorrect instruction, as choosing a different finger for each test throughout the day can increase the risk of infection and pain. The client should rotate the testing sites within one finger or use alternate sites, such as the forearm or palm.