You've made a fingerstick on a patient, and you don't seem to get enough
blood. This patient is a construction worker with large, callused hands. How would you
respond to this situation and justify the problem
i dunno
If you have made a fingerstick on a patient and have not been able to obtain enough blood, there are a few steps you can take to address the situation:
1. Assess the fingerstick site: Carefully observe the puncture site on the patient's finger to ensure that it was done properly. Check if the incision was deep enough to draw blood. If you suspect that the incision may not have been sufficient, you may consider attempting the procedure again, taking care to make a slightly deeper cut.
2. Consider alternative collection methods: If the patient has large, callused hands, it can make it difficult to obtain enough blood through a fingerstick. In such cases, you may need to switch to an alternative method of blood collection, such as a venipuncture, which involves drawing blood directly from a vein. This method may be more effective for patients with calluses or other factors that impede blood flow from the fingertips.
3. Communicate with the patient: Inform the patient about the difficulties encountered during the fingerstick and explain the alternative method you plan to use. Obtain the patient's consent for the change in the procedure, ensuring they understand the reasons behind it.
4. Document the situation: It is important to thoroughly document the challenges faced during the fingerstick process. This documentation should include details about the patient's calluses, the attempts made, and the decision to switch to an alternative method. This helps maintain accurate patient records for future reference.
To justify the problem of not obtaining enough blood from the fingerstick, you can include details about the patient's occupation as a construction worker with large, callused hands. These factors can contribute to decreased blood flow, making it more challenging to obtain an adequate blood sample through a fingerstick. By documenting this information, you can provide a valid explanation for the difficulty encountered during the procedure and the need for an alternative collection method.