The Important 12 Steps To Use A Glucometer

One of the most important tools that a diabetic can have is a blood glucose meter, otherwise known as a glucometer. This hand-held machine allows diabetics to monitor the amount of glucose in their blood, which is critical in determining what food you can eat and how well any medication you are on is working in controlling high blood sugar levels. This series of steps teaches you how to use a glucometer.

Steps

1 Obtain a glucometer and test strips.

• You can go to any drugstore and buy a blood glucose meter. Many insurance companies will pay for your meter and test strips if you obtain a prescription from your doctor.

2 Read the materials and directions that come with your meter.

• Familiarize yourself with all the functions of your blood glucose meter. Determine where you insert your test strip and where the readout will be.

3 Test the glucometer before using it.

• Most glucometers include a way to test to make sure they are reading correctly. This could be in the form of a premade test strip or a liquid you place on a test strip. These are inserted into the machine and the reading should be within acceptable limits.

4 Wash your hands thoroughly, including the area from which you are going to draw blood.

• Most diabetic glucometers instruct you to prick your finger for a sample, but some of the newer blood glucose meters let you use an area on your arm. Determine which of these areas is acceptable for your meter.

5 Place alcohol on a cotton ball.

6 Place a test strip into the slot provided on the glucometer.

7 Swab the area you are going to use to draw your sample from with the cotton ball.

• Alcohol evaporates rapidly so there's no need to dry the area. That will just recontaminate it.

8 Wait for the readout on the diabetic glucometer to tell you to put the drop of blood on the strip.

• The readout may actually say "place sample on strip," or it may give you a symbol, such as an icon that looks like a droplet of liquid.

9 Use the lancet provided with the diabetic glucose meter and prick the area for the sample.

10 Place a drop of blood on the test strip.

• The newer strips offer a "wicking" action that will draw the blood up into the test strip. Older meters and strips require you to actually drop blood onto the strip.
• Most diabetic glucose meters require no more than a drop of blood to test.

11 Wait for results.

• The meter will begin a count down in seconds once the sample hits the strip and the meter detects it. For newer meters it will be 5 seconds, older meters could be 10 to 30 seconds. The meter will sound a tone, or beep, when it has a reading for you.

12 Read and record your results.

• Some diabetic glucose meters will store the readings for you in their on-board memory. With others, you will have to write your results down. Make sure you note the day, time and type of reading. For instance, was the reading taken first thing in the morning? This is known as a fasting reading. Was it taken 2 hours after a meal? This is known as a 2-hour postprandial reading.

Tips

•       It helps to rinse your hand in warm water for a minute or 2 and then allow your hand to dangle at your side for another minute if you are sampling from your finger. This gets blood flowing to your fingers.
•       Your doctor will tell you how often and what type of readings you should be taking. Make sure to discuss it with your physician.