How to Do Capillary Blood Glucose Monitoring

Diabetic glucose monitoring can be done a variety of ways, but by far the most common method for measuring glucose on a daily basis is capillary blood glucose monitoring. By making a small puncture in the skin and testing a drop of blood using a meter, diabetics can control their disease process with diet and medications. Some meters allow for testing on the arm, but finger-sticks are still pretty standard.

Things You'll Need

• Blood glucose monitor Test strips Alcohol wipe Lancet Gauze or band-aid (optional) Book for recording data (optional)

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands thoroughly before beginning your capillary blood glucose check.

• 2

  Ready your meter according to on-screen instructions or owner's manual (every meter is slightly different).

• 3

  Insert the test strip so that the collection field is pointing up and away from the meter.

• 4

  Swab your finger tip (or arm if your meter allows) with alcohol and allow to dry or dry with gauze.

• 5

  Firmly place the lancet pen (or mechanism) against the area to be tested and depress the button. If you prefer to use a lancet without an assistance device, hold the lancet approximately two inches from the finger tip surface and quickly poke into the skin surface.

• 6

  Wipe off the initial blood drop.

• 7

  Squeeze the area, starting away from the puncture and moving inward to aid in obtaining blood sample.

• 8

  Place drop onto testing strip or place end of testing strip into the drop of blood (see your owner's manual for best option)

• 9

  Check for sample acceptance and allow time for the machine to work. Apply firm pressure to puncture with an alcohol wipe, gauze or a bandage while you wait.

• 10

  Record your glucose level and follow your physician's guidelines pertaining to necessary actions for low or high glucose levels.