Checklist
| Preparation | Wash – Name – Explain | |
| Position patient appropriately for procedure | ||
| Clean preparation surface | ||
| Gather equipment | Clean equipment tray | |
| Wash hands | ||
| Skin cleaning equipment | ||
| Lancet | ||
| Glucose testing strip | ||
| Glucose testing machine | ||
| Cotton wool | ||
| Safe sharps disposal | ||
| Site identification & cleaning | Return to patient | |
| Wash hands | ||
| Select appropriate site | ||
| Clean skin | ||
| Allow skin to dry | ||
| Capillary blood sampling | Wash hands and put on gloves | |
| Turn on glucose testing machine | ||
| Insert test strip into machine | ||
| Pierce skin using lancet | ||
| Squeeze finger to milk blood | ||
| Draw up blood sample onto test strip | ||
| Read value | ||
| Dispose of sharps safely | ||
| Ensure haemostasis | ||
| Cover wound | ||
| Finishing | Dispose of all waste appropriately | |
| Wash hands | ||
| Document blood glucose value in patient notes |
Explanation
Preparation
Wash, name, explain:
- Wash your hands
- Introduce yourself by name and role
- Check the patient’s name and date of birth
- Explain the task and get consent
“Hello, I’m one of the doctors. I’ve been asked to check your blood sugar, which involves taking a small drop of blood from your finger using a needle. It may be slightly uncomfortable but should not be painful. You can ask me to stop at any time. Would that be okay?”
Position the patient appropriately for the procedure. For capillary glucose testing, ensure they are seated comfortably, with their hands easily accessible, as the sample will be taken from one of their fingers.
Clean your preparation area, typically a clinical trolley, using appropriate surface cleaning agents.
Gather Equipment
Clean an equipment tray and place it on your preparation surface. Wash your hands again after cleaning surfaces.
Gather the following equipment and place it in your clean tray:
- Skin cleaning apparatus – usually alcohol-based
- Lancet – often spring-loaded, ensure you know how to use your local equipment
- Glucose testing strips – ensure you check the expiry date of the strips, and that they are compatible with the glucose testing machine you are using.
- Glucose testing machine – ensure this has been calibrated prior to clinical use
- Cotton wool
- Safe sharps disposal e.g., sharps bin
Site Identification & Cleaning
Return to the patient, wash your hands, and confirm that they are still happy to proceed. Ask the patient if they have a preferred finger for the blood sample. To reduce pain and the risk of hitting bone, the optimal site is the lateral aspect of the distal phalanx, approximately two-thirds of the way from the distal interphalangeal joint to the fingertip.
Clean the skin using the appropriate equipment for at least 30 seconds, then allow the site to air dry for a further 30 seconds.
Capillary Blood Sampling
Wash your hands and put on your gloves. Try not to touch the site you have just cleaned.
Switch on the glucose testing machine. Some machines may ask you to enter a patient identifier before taking the sample. Insert a glucose testing strip into the machine.
Remove the cap from your lancet, being mindful of the exposed sharp. Prick the patient’s finger using the lancet and dispose of the sharp immediately and safely. If necessary, apply gentle pressure to the finger to obtain a drop of blood. Hold the testing strip next to the blood drop, allowing the blood to be absorbed by the strip and drawn into the machine.
Read the blood glucose value.
Cover the wound with cotton wool and apply gentle pressure. You can ask the patient to do this if they are able. Ensure the wound has stopped bleeding. This process may take longer if the patient is taking anticoagulants.
Finishing
Confirm that the patient is feeling well. Dispose of all waste appropriately, then clean your tray and trolley. Wash your hands.
Document the blood glucose reading in the patient’s notes.
Last updated Mar 2025
Head to members.zerotofinals.com for practice OSCE stations, including an interactive checklist, specific cases and clinical findings.
