Clinical Procedures and Protocols Flashcards

Which site is preferred for continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sensor insertion in adults?

Answer: Abdomen or upper arm

The abdomen and upper arm are FDA-approved and preferred CGM insertion sites for most adult devices due to consistent interstitial glucose readings.

Before performing a finger-stick blood glucose check, which step is most important for accurate results?

Answer: Clean the site with alcohol and let it fully dry

Alcohol residue on the finger can dilute the blood sample and cause falsely low readings; the site must fully dry before lancing.

A patient reports that their insulin pump infusion set site has become red, swollen, and tender. What is the priority action?

Answer: Remove the infusion set and rotate to a new site

Signs of infusion site infection or occlusion require immediate removal of the set and rotation to a new site to restore insulin delivery and prevent worsening infection.

When teaching self-injection technique for insulin, which angle is recommended for a person with very little subcutaneous tissue using a 4 mm pen needle?

Answer: 90 degrees without a skin fold

A 4 mm pen needle is short enough that a 90-degree angle without a skin fold is appropriate even in lean individuals, minimizing intramuscular injection risk.

Which protocol best describes the sick-day rules for patients with type 1 diabetes on insulin?

Answer: Check blood glucose and ketones more frequently; never skip insulin doses

During illness, counter-regulatory hormones raise blood glucose; patients should increase monitoring frequency, maintain insulin doses, and check for ketones.

A CDCES is demonstrating how to use a glucagon emergency kit. Which instruction is correct for administering intramuscular glucagon?

Answer: Mix the powder and diluent, then inject into the outer thigh, upper arm, or buttock

Standard glucagon kits require reconstitution (mixing powder with diluent) and IM injection into a large muscle such as outer thigh, upper arm, or buttock.