Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

When assessing a patient's blood glucose monitoring technique, which action indicates improper technique?

1. Cleaning hands with warm water and soap instead of alcohol

2. Setting the lancet to her preference

3. Milking the lanced finger at the tip to acquire sufficient blood

4. Recording the reading in a notebook rather than on a clinic-provided sheet

The correct answer is: Milking the lanced finger at the tip to acquire sufficient blood

Milking the lanced finger to help obtain a sufficient amount of blood is indicative of improper technique. This practice can cause a mix of interstitial fluid with the blood, which may lead to inaccurate glucose readings. The primary goal of blood glucose testing is to ensure that the sample used for the test is as pure as possible, reflecting the actual blood glucose level without contamination or interference from other fluids. In contrast, the other actions listed adhere to proper blood glucose monitoring guidelines. Cleaning hands with warm water and soap is an acceptable method of ensuring that the testing site is hygienic. Setting the lancet device to a personal preference is a normal part of ensuring comfort and effectiveness in obtaining a sample. Additionally, while recording readings in a notebook instead of a clinic-provided sheet might not follow a specific protocol, it does not directly affect the accuracy of the measurement obtained. Therefore, milking the finger is the action that signifies improper technique in blood glucose monitoring.