Getting A Blood Sample From The Fingertip:
- Choose a different puncture site each time you test.
- Repeated punctures in the same spot may cause soreness and calluses.
- Before testing, wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry completely.
1. Remove the lancing device cap
- Remove the cap by turning it counterclockwise and then pulling it straight off of the device.
2. Insert a sterile lancet into the lancing device
- Align the lancet as shown here, so that the lancet fits into the lancet holder.
- Push the lancet into the device until it snaps into place and is fully seated in the holder.
- Twist the protective cover one full turn until it separates from the lancet.
- Save the protective cover for lancet removal and disposal.
3. Replace the lancing device cap
- Place the cap back onto the device; turn clockwise to secure the cap.
4. Adjust the depth setting
- The lancing device has seven puncture depth settings, numbered 1 through 7. Smaller numbers are for a shallower puncture and the larger numbers are for a deeper puncture. Shallower punctures work for children and most adults. Deeper punctures work well for people with thick or callused skin. Turn the depth wheel to choose the setting.
- Note: A shallower fingertip puncture may be less painful. Try a shallower setting first and increase the depth until you find the one deep enough to get a blood sample of the proper size.
5. Cock the lancing device
- Slide the cocking control back until it clicks. If it does not click, it may already have been cocked when you inserted the lancet.
6. Insert a test strip to turn the meter on
- Insert a test strip into the test strip port with the gold side of the test strip and the two silver prongs facing you.
- No separate step to code the meter is required.
- When the Apply Blood screen appears on the display, you can apply your blood sample to either side of the test strip.
7. Puncture your finger
- Hold the lancing device firmly against the side of your finger.
- Press the release button.
- Remove the lancing device from your finger.
8. Get a round drop of blood
- Gently squeeze and/or massage your fingertip until a round drop of blood forms on your fingertip.
- If the blood smears or runs, Do Not use that sample. Dry the area and gently squeeze another drop of blood or puncture a new site.
