1. Diabetes Mellitus Disorder that affects the body’s ability to use glucose –the cells in the pancreas that secrete insulin, do not secrete enough insulin for the body’s needs Blood glucose is the level of sugar present in the circulating blood –diabetic will have an excessive amount of glucose circulating in the blood unless the diabetes is under control

2. Blood Test Is the most accurate test of the glucose level in the blood –a quick test can be performed at the bedside Fingerstick –piercing the finger with a special instrument to get a drop of blood –the special instrument is called a lancet

3. Accudata GTS System Name of the machine we use –GTS stands for Glucose Testing Station Name of the small monitor –Accu-Chek Advantage Terms used for blood sugar test –Accudata –CBG (Capillary Blood Glucose) –D-stick (D refers to dextrose)

4. Quality Controls Purpose is to check that the monitor is accurately reading the glucose level of the sample Three control solutions –Level 1 Lo –Level 2 Hi –Level 3 Mid “Running controls” means to use the control solution to do a glucose test

5. Quality Controls Times that quality controls must be done –once each day prior to patient testing –each time a new vial of strips is opened –when the vial of strips has been left opened –if the GTS has been dropped –after the batteries in the GTS have been replaced

6. Quality Controls If the quality control exceeds the acceptable range –repeat the control level that is not within acceptable limits –check expiration dates on control solutions and strips control solution expires 3 months after opened –open new control solutions –open a new bottle of strips

7. Points to Remember Puncture site should be on side of the finger Allow alcohol to dry completely before using glucolet (automatic lancet) Fill yellow window completely Use transfer pipette when doing CBG in isolation Patient ID number is their medical record number

8. Points to Remember Normal fasting adult blood glucose range for a non-diabetic is 70-105 mg/dl –one to two hours after meals, normal blood glucose levels should be less than 140 mg/dl Blood glucose less than 10 mg/dl –display will read LO Blood glucose greater than 600 mg/dl –display will read HI