Checking Blood Glucose

Video: Learn How to Check Your Blood Glucose

Your devices may differ from the ones that appear in the video.

Step by Step: Learn How to Check Your Blood Glucose

 

1. Wash your hands with plain soap and warm water

No need to use alcohol wipes.

 

2. Remove the outer cap on the lancing device

Not all devices are the same.

 

3. Insert lancet into the lancing device

 

4. Slowly twist off the top of the lancet

Save top for later. You will need it when you remove the lancet.

Twisting 3 times can make it easier to take off the top .

 

5. Replace the outer cap on the lancing device

The outer cap will keep the lancet from going too deep.

 

6. Choose the setting on the lancing device

Each device is different, try the middle setting first.

 

7. Pull back the lever or end cap on lancing device to load

With some devices you may hear a click.

8. Make sure the lancing device is loaded by pressing the button. Load again before use

With some devices you may hear a click.

 

9. Take a test strip from the bottle

To keep test strips dry, close the bottle tightly.

 

10. Put a test strip in the meter with test spot sticking out

The meter will turn on when test strip is put in the right way. If the meter does not turn on or shuts off, take the test strip out and try putting it in another way.

11. Firmly push the tip of the lancing device against the side of your finger

Put your finger on a table or your lap to keep steady.

12. Press the button on the lancing device to get blood from your finger

You may need to change the lancing device setting if you get too much or not enough blood.

13. Make sure the meter is still on. Put blood on the test spot as shown

Check result. The blood glucose goal for most people is 80-130 mg/dL before meals and 80-180 mg/dL after meals.

 

14. Remove the outer cap of the lancing device

Be careful not to poke yourself!

 

15. Put the small, round top of the lancet back on to cover lancet

Use the top that you twisted off in Step 4.

 

16. Remove the lancet from the lancing device

Some lancing devices have a release button.

 

17. Place the test strip in the trash. Place the lancet in the sharps container

 

18. Replace the outer cap of the lancing device

You finished learning how to check your blood glucose.

Next, learn how to inject insulin with an insulin pen or syringe.