25
4. Remove the safety lancet from the finger. Dispose of the lancet in an
appropriate biohazard Sharps container. Please see the Caution
Statement.
For the greatest reduction in pain, lance on the sides of the fingertips.
Rotation of sites is recommended. Repeated punctures in the same spot
can make fingers sore and callused.
Alternative site testing
The forearm and palm areas have fewer nerve endings than the fingertip. For
that reason, you may find that obtaining blood from these sites is less painful
than from the fingertip.
IMPORTANT:
There are important differences among forearm, palm and
fingertip samples that you should know.
• You should consult your patient’s doctor before choosing to perform
forearm or palm testing.
• When blood levels are changing rapidly such as after a meal, an insulin
dose or exercise, blood from the fingertips may show these changes more
rapidly than blood from other areas.
• You should use fingertips if testing is within 2 hours of a meal, an insulin
dose or exercise. You should also use fingertip testing any time you feel
glucose levels are changing rapidly.
A
B
