The center, fleshy part of the fingertip has many nerve endings, so a puncture there is painful. Use the side toward the tip of the middle or ring finger instead.

According to the text, the nursing assistant should avoid the center, fleshy part of the fingertip because that site is rich in nerve endings, which makes the puncture painful. The recommended site is the side toward the tip of the middle or ring finger. Avoid thumbs, index fingers, and fifth fingers, as well as swollen, bruised, cyanotic, scarred, or callused sites, because those areas have poor blood flow.

Key points

The center of the fingertip contains many nerve endings.
Puncturing there causes more pain for the person.
The preferred site is the side toward the tip of the middle or ring finger.
Avoid sites with poor blood flow, such as callused or bruised areas.

Why should a nursing assistant avoid using the center, fleshy part of the fingertip for a blood glucose skin puncture?