Which step is correct when preparing to obtain a capillary blood sample for glucose testing?

• A. The fingerstick data should be read after inserting the test strip
• B. The test strip needs to be inserted before the finger stick
• C. The fingerstick should be performed with the non-dominant hand only
• D. The lancet should be reused for multiple tests

Answer: (B)

In capillary glucose testing, the step sequence matters because the meter must be ready to receive the sample. Inserting the test strip before performing the fingerstick primes the device and places the strip in position to capture the blood drop as soon as it’s available. This minimizes wasted blood, delays, and potential invalid readings. If you poke first and then insert the strip, there’s a risk the meter isn’t ready to read immediately, leading to repeat sticks or accuracy issues. The other options aren’t appropriate: reusing a lancet poses infection risk, there isn’t a strict rule to perform the fingerstick with the non-dominant hand only, and simply reading after insertion doesn’t ensure the sampling step is properly aligned with the device’s readiness.