Skip to main content

OneTouch® UltraMini® - Getting A Blood Sample From The Palm Or Forearm

Published 2024-10-21
Updated 2025-11-06
Products OT Ultra Mini Meter

Getting A Blood Sample From The Palm Or Forearm:

 

  • Note:
    • The blue (or black) cap and clear cap are also used for depth adjustment.
    • If you do not have a lancing device, please refer to the instructions that came with your lancing device.

 

  • Caution: To reduce the risk of infection:
    • Make sure to wash the puncture site with soap and water before sampling.
    • Never share a lancet or a lancing device with anyone.
    • Always use a new, sterile lancet—lancets are for single use only.
    • Keep your meter and lancing device clean. 

 

  • Preparing your sample site:
    • Before you test your blood glucose, wash your hands and forearm (if applicable) thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry.


Lancing And Sampling From An Alternate Site:

  • Sampling from your palm or forearm allows you to use your fingertips less often. You may find that obtaining a blood sample from an alternate site is less painful than using a fingertip. Getting a blood sample from your forearm or palm is different than getting a sample from your fingertips.
  • The clear cap is used for forearm and palm sampling only. Replace the blue (or black) cap with the clear cap.
 
1. Forearm Sampling:
  • Choose a fleshy area of the forearm away from bone, visible veins and hair. Sometimes there is less blood flow to the forearm than to the fingertips. To help you get a large enough drop of blood, you may gently massage or apply warmth to the site to increase blood flow.
2. Palm Sampling:
  • Choose a fleshy area on the palm below your thumb or little pinky finger. Select a spot with no visible veins and away from deep lines, which may cause your blood sample to smear.

 
How To:

1. Insert a sterile lancet and snap on the clear cap.
2. Adjust the depth setting.
      • You may have to adjust the lancing device to a deeper setting to get a large enough drop of blood from your forearm or palm.
      • Twist the clear cap toward the larger numbers to increase the depth. Be sure to cock the lancing device.
3. Puncture your forearm or palm.
  • Firmly press and hold the lancing device against your forearm or palm for a few seconds.
  • Wait until the skin surface under the clear cap changes color (as blood collects beneath the skin). This tells you there is enough blood flow for a good sample. Then press the release button while continuing to apply pressure. Keep holding the lancing device against your skin until a round drop of blood forms under the cap.
  • When sampling blood from your forearm or palm, make sure the drop of blood is large enough (● approximate size) before you release pressure and remove the lancing device.
4. Remove the lancing device.
  • Carefully lift the lancing device away from your skin.
  • Do Not smear the blood sample.
        • NOTE:
          • You may need to wait a little longer to get a large enough drop of blood from the forearm or palm. Do Not squeeze the site excessively.
          • If the sample drop of blood runs or spreads due to contact with hair or with a line in your palm, Do Not use that sample. Try puncturing again in a smoother area.
        • Remember:
          • You may have to adjust the lancing device to a deeper setting to get a large enough drop of blood (● approximate size).


CAUTION:

  • Do Not test on your forearm or palm when:
    • You think your blood glucose is rapidly falling, such as within two hours of exercise or a rapid-acting insulin injection or insulin pump bolus. Testing with a fingertip sample may identify hypoglycemia or an insulin reaction sooner than testing with a forearm or palm sample.
    • It has been less than two hours after a meal, a rapid-acting insulin injection or insulin pump bolus, physical exercise, or you think your glucose level is changing rapidly
    • You are concerned about the possibility of hypoglycemia or an insulin reaction, such as when driving a car. This is especially important if you suffer from hypoglycemia unawareness (lack of symptoms to indicate an insulin reaction).
  • Remember:
    • Consult with your healthcare professional before using your forearm or palm for testing.
    • Choose a different puncture site each time you test. Repeated punctures in the same spot may cause soreness and calluses.
    • If bruising occurs at an alternate site or you have difficulty getting a sample, consider sampling from a fingertip instead.
    • You may want to review the choice of sites with your healthcare professional.

AW 06629005A