QMA Insulin Blood Glucose Monitoring 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which glucometer quality control (QC) step must be performed regularly to ensure accurate readings?
- Calibrating with distilled water
- Running control solution tests (Correct answer)
- Replacing the lancet device battery
- Warming the meter before each use
Correct answer: Running control solution tests
Running control solutions checks that the glucometer and test strips are producing accurate results within the acceptable range.
Question 2: A test strip is stored in a hot car during summer. What concern does this raise?
- Strips become more sensitive to glucose
- Heat can degrade strips, leading to inaccurate results (Correct answer)
- No concern — strips are temperature stable
- Strips need refrigeration only, not heat protection
Correct answer: Heat can degrade strips, leading to inaccurate results
Extreme heat degrades glucose oxidase in test strips, resulting in unreliable readings.
Question 3: A QMA notices the glucometer displays an error code after inserting the test strip. What should be done?
- Use an estimate based on symptoms
- Consult the device manual and notify the nurse (Correct answer)
- Reuse the strip after blotting it dry
- Increase the blood sample size and retry
Correct answer: Consult the device manual and notify the nurse
Error codes indicate a device or strip problem; the QMA should check the manual, resolve the issue if possible, and notify the nurse of the delay.
Question 4: What is the standard site for blood glucose monitoring when fingers are not available?
- Earlobe
- Forearm alternate site (Correct answer)
- Toenail bed
- Forearm vein
Correct answer: Forearm alternate site
Approved alternate sites include the forearm, upper arm, or palm, depending on the glucometer's capability, when fingers are unavailable.
Question 5: A resident's blood glucose is 320 mg/dL. The nurse is not immediately available. What should the QMA do?
- Hold the insulin until glucose normalizes
- Document the result and keep trying to reach the nurse (Correct answer)
- Give extra insulin to lower the reading quickly
- Repeat the test every 10 minutes until the nurse arrives
Correct answer: Document the result and keep trying to reach the nurse
The QMA must document the result and persist in contacting the nurse; hyperglycemia requires clinical assessment and orders before any action.
Question 6: Why should alcohol be allowed to fully dry before lancing a finger for glucose testing?
- Wet alcohol prevents the lancet from penetrating
- Residual alcohol can dilute the blood sample and alter results (Correct answer)
- Alcohol must dry to activate the lancet mechanism
- Drying prevents skin infection only
Correct answer: Residual alcohol can dilute the blood sample and alter results
Residual alcohol on the skin can dilute the blood droplet and interfere with the glucose oxidase reaction, causing inaccurate results.
Question 7: Which of the following is an acceptable blood glucose range before a meal for most adult diabetic residents?
- 20–50 mg/dL
- 70–130 mg/dL (Correct answer)
- 200–250 mg/dL
- 300–350 mg/dL
Correct answer: 70–130 mg/dL
The American Diabetes Association target for pre-meal blood glucose in adults with diabetes is generally 70–130 mg/dL.
QMA Insulin Blood Glucose Monitoring 3
Which glucometer quality control (QC) step must be performed regularly to ensure accurate readings?