Definition
Measuring blood glucose using a glucometer is a quick, reliable method to monitor blood sugar levels especially important for individuals with diabetes.
Normal Blood Glucose Ranges (for non-pregnant adults)
| Timing | Target Range |
|---|---|
| Fasting | 70–110 mg/dL |
| Random | Up to 126 mg/dL |
| Postprandial (2 hr) | 120–140 mg/dL |
Articles
- Blood-glucose meter.
- Testing strips/reagent strips.
- Sterile lancet.
- Cotton balls.
- Alcohol swab
- Disposable gloves.
Procedure
| NURSING ACTIONS | RATIONALE | |
| 1. | Check Physicians order. | Confirms time for checking blood glucose. |
| 2. | Review manufacturer’s instructions for glucometer use. | Helps in executing the procedure accurately. |
| 3. | Gather articles at the bedside. | Provides an organized approach during the procedure. |
| 4. | Explain the procedure to the patient. | Helps to gain patient’s cooperation. |
| 5. | Have the patient wash hands with soap and water. Use warm water if available. | Washing hands reduces transmission of microorganisms. |
| 6. | Position the patient comfortably in a semi-fowlers position or upright position. | Increases blood flow to the area. |
| 7. | Wash hands. Don disposable gloves. | Prevents spread of microorganisms. Gloves protect from exposure to blood and body fluids. |
| 8. | Remove test strip from the container and recap the container immediately. | Immediate recapping protects strips from exposure to light and discoloration. |
| 9. | Turn the monitor on and check whether the code number on strip matches with the code number on the monitor screen. | Matching the code numbers on the strip and glucometer ensures that machine calibrated correctly. |
| 10. | Take the lancet without contaminating it. Select appropriate puncture site. | Aseptic technique maintains sterility. |
| 11. | Massage the side of the finger for adults (heel for children) toward puncture site and wipe with alcohol swab. | Massage increases blood flow to the area. |
| 12. | Hold lancet perpendicular to skin and prick site with lancet. | Holding lancet in proper position facilitates proper skin penetration. |
| 13. | Wipe away the first drop of blood from the site. | The first drop may impede accurate result because it may contain large amount of serous fluid. |
| 14. | Lightly squeeze or milk the puncture site until a hanging drop of blood has formed. | The blood droplet should be large enough to cover the test pad on the strip to facilitate accurate test results. |
| 15. | Gently touch the drop of blood to pad on the test strip without smearing it. | Smearing of the blood will alter results. |
| 16. | Insert the strip into the glucometer according to directions for that specific device. Some devices require that the drop of blood is applied to a test strip that has already been inserted in the monitor. | Correctly inserted strip allows the glucometer to read the blood- glucose level accurately. |
| 17. | Apply pressure to the puncture site using a dry cotton ball. | Stops bleeding at the site. |
| 18. | Read blood-glucose level displayed on the monitor and inform the patient it. | |
| 19. | After procedure Turn off the glucometer. | |
| 20. | Dispose supplies appropriately and discard the lancet in sharps container. | Reduces contamination by blood. Sharps must always be handled properly to protect others from accidental injury. |
| 21. | Remove gloves and discard Wash hands. | |
| 22. | Record the blood glucose level in the patient’s chart. | This facilitates documentation of procedure and provides. comprehensive care. |
Special Considerations
- In patients who require regular blood glucose monitoring, shallow penetration should be encouraged to avoid tissue damage.
- Rotate or change sites for the penetrated site to heal.
- To reduce pain, choose side of fingertips (or side of heel for children), where fewer nerve endings are present rather than central part of fingertips.
- Patients should compare their personal glucometer reading with the laboratory measured blood-glucose level, every 6 – 12 months
REFERENCES
- Annamma Jacob, Rekha, Jhadav Sonali Tarachand: Clinical Nursing Procedures: The Art of Nursing Practice, 5th Edition, March 2023, Jaypee Publishers, ISBN-13: 978-9356961845 ISBN-10: 9356961840
- Omayalachi CON, Manual of Nursing Procedures and Practice, Vol 1, 3 Edition 2023, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN: 978-9393553294
- Sandra Nettina, Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice, 11th Edition, January 2019, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN-13:978-9388313285
- Adrianne Dill Linton, Medical-Surgical Nursing, 8th Edition, 2023, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323826716
- Donna Ignatavicius, Medical-Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Clinical Judgment and Collaborative Care, 11th Edition ,2024, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323878265
- Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing, 12th Edition,2024, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323789615
- AACN Essentials of Critical Care Nursing, 5th Ed. Sarah. Delgado, 2023, Published by American Association of Critical-Care Nurses ISBN: 978-1264269884.
- Ernstmeyer K, Christman E, editors. Nursing Fundamentals [Internet]. 2nd edition. Eau Claire (WI): Chippewa Valley Technical College; 2024. PART IV, NURSING PROCESS. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK610818/
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