A medical assistant is performing a capillary blood glucose test using a glucometer. The control solution result falls outside the acceptable range printed on the test strip vial. What is the correct course of action?
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AProceed with patient testing because the control solution is only a guideline
BAdjust the glucometer's calibration setting to bring the control result within range
CTest another control solution from a different vial; if it also fails, take the glucometer out of service and notify the supervisor before testing any patients
DDiscard only the current batch of test strips and test the patient immediately with a new strip
✓ Correct answer: C. Test another control solution from a different vial; if it also fails, take the glucometer out of service and notify the supervisor before testing any patientsQuality control guidelines for point-of-care testing require that a failed QC result triggers troubleshooting (new control, new strip lot, different device), and the instrument must be removed from patient use until the problem is identified and resolved to ensure result accuracy.
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