1. ABOUT THIS PRESENTATION For Instructor Use Only
Target Audience:
Patients with diabetes and their families
Time Required:
20-30 minutes
Suggested Group size:
1 to 20 participants
Setting:
Clinic, home or bedside
Timing:
As a part of group or individual DSME
Objective(s):
Patients with diabetes will learn how to test their blood sugar with a blood glucose meter
Handouts &
Teaching Tools:
None. Can print from slides if desired
Equipment Required:
Computer to show presentation and multimedia equipment
Topics Covered:
Preparation for test
Meter coding
Lancing device setup
Obtaining blood sample
Alternative site testing
Recording results
Sharps disposal
Testing frequency
Blood sugar targets

2. TEST YOUR BLOOD SUGAR HOW TO …
This presentation will teach you the basics of blood sugar testing with a glucose meter, a key step in taking care of yourself when you have diabetes.
TEST YOUR BLOOD SUGAR

3. OVERVIEW Preparing Coding Fingerstick sampling Results recording
Sharps disposal
Testing frequency
Blood sugar targets
Here is an overview of what will be covered in this session.

4. STEP 1: Gather Supplies Gather your equipment You will need:
Glucose meter
Test strips
Lancing device
Lancet
Logbook & pen/pencil
The first step is preparation for testing. Gather these supplies. Most supplies come with the meter. If not, ask your healthcare provider about where to obtain the needed testing supplies.

5. STEP 2: Clean Hands Wash your hands with warm water and soap
It is not necessary to use alcohol to clean skin
Then prepare your skin by washing hands with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry well. It is not necessary to use an alcohol pad. Wet alcohol can actually skew the blood glucose results and repeated use of alcohol will dry the skin.

6. STEP 3: Prepare Lancing Device
Ensure appropriate puncture depth is set
Remove top cover and insert lancet
Remove top of lancet to expose needle
Replace top cover of lancing device
Be sure device is “cocked” or “primed”
Get the lancet device ready by first loading the lancet. Expose the needle by removing the cap. Replace the lancing device cover and you are ready to go. Cock or prime the device according to the manufacturer’s directions.

7. STEP 4: Turn on Meter Be sure meter is coded properly- if needed
Insert strip into meter
The next step is coding. Some meters may require “coding.” This ensures that the meter and strip are matched. Follow the directions that come with the meter if this is needed. Otherwise, place the strip into the meter to turn it on.

8. STEP 5: Obtain & Apply Sample
Lance the side of your finger
Apply blood to strip
Apply pressure to finger
to stop bleeding
Now you are ready to perform the fingerstick. Press the lancing device against the side of your finger and press the button. You should feel a poke. To collect the blood sample, hold the drop of blood next to the strip and the blood should load itself. Hold a gauze or tissue on your finger to stop any bleeding when you are done.

9. ALTERNATE SITE TESTING
May use arm or heel of hand to obtain sample
Instructions and special device in box
Do not use alternate site if:
Glucose changing rapidly
Suspect hypoglycemia
Pregnant
You may want to know how to obtain a blood sample from your arm or the heel of the hand. This may not hurt as much, but does require a special cap and further instruction (this comes with the meter). There are times when you should only test at the finger, as above.

10. STEP 6: Record Results Record results in logbook
Will help you see patterns
Will help you know what effects your blood sugar
May prompt you to call provider if needed
Take meter and logbook with you to provider visit each time you go.
Record results in logbook
Why record?
Will help you see patterns
Will help you know what effects your blood sugar
May prompt you to call provider if needed
Take meter and logbook with you to provider visit each time you go.

11. STEP 6: Dispose of Materials
Remove strip from meter and dispose in trash
Remove lancet and dispose in hard plastic container
Check with your state about disposal
Record results in logbook

12. WHEN TO TEST Check with your provider
Different patients have different testing needs
Possible testing times might include…
before meals
at bedtime
Before taking insulin
Before driving a vehicle
During the night (especially with insulin changes)
Your doctor or medical provider may have told you when you should test your blood sugar. Ask if you do not know.

13. 80-130mg/dl <180mg/dl At least 100mg/dl ARE YOU ON TARGET? Fasting
2 hours after meals
At least 100mg/dl
At bedtime
For most patients, these are the targets to aim for when you are fasting, after eating, or at bedtime. Again, your medical provider may individualize your targets. Ask if you are uncertain.

14. TIPS TO REMEMBER Use test strips only once
Keep supplies at room temperature
Keep strips in container with lid on – do not expose to air/heat/humidity/light
Do not share your meter with anyone
BRING YOUR METER TO EACH VISIT WITH YOUR PROVIDER
Remember, don’t reuse a strip. Keep supplies at room temperature. Don’t expose the strips to heat, light, or humidity for long periods. Don’t share your meter. Bring it with you to every medical appointment. These tips will help you and your provider make the most of your blood glucose testing efforts.

15. SUMMARY
Testing your blood sugar is important to achieving and maintaining control of your diabetes.
Specific information about a particular meter can be obtained by reading the manufacturer instructions (see next slide).
Find out how often you should test and what blood sugar level you should strive for from your healthcare provider.

16. REFERENCES
American Diabetes Association. (2015). Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2015 Abridged for Primary Care Providers. Clinical Diabetes : A Publication of the American Diabetes Association, 33(2), 97– Precision Xtra Manufacturer's Instructions: Accu-Chek Aviva Manufacturer’s Instructions: Bayer Contour Manufacturer’s Instructions: