How To Test Blood Glucose
Testing blood glucose is slightly different with every meter so before testing make sure you understand the functions of the meter you will be working with. If you have a meter with you but do not have its operating manual, feel free to view it from our Meters Page by selecting the manufacturer of your meter from the drop down menu.
Before following these recommendations please read the disclaimer.
Before following these recommendations please read the disclaimer.
Equipment You Will Need
- A Blood Glucose Meter
- The Meter's Specific Instruction Guide (for first time testing)
- Blood Glucose Test Strips (must be compatible with your meter)*
- A Lancing Device*
- A Sterile Lancet (must be compatible with your lancing device)*
- An Alcohol Swab or Access to Somewhere You Can Wash Hands
- A Sharps/Biohazard Disposal Container
- A Tissue or Other Suitable Material to Clean Up Blood Drops
TestHappy! Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) Instructions
Step 1 - Have A Need For Testing - See The CDA SMBG Tool for Healthcare Providers
- Possible Reasons to Test: Recommendation from your healthcare provider. use of test results for insulin dosing, feeling symptoms of hypoglycemia, as a periodic indication of glycemic control in Type 2 Diabetes.
Step 2 - Acquire All Necessary Equipment For Testing
- It is best to have everything within reach at one time so that testing is quick, convenient, and successful
- Review the instructions for your meter, strips, and lancing device if necessary
Step 3 - Clean Your Hand & Meter (If Necessary)
- Always wash your hands or use an alcohol solution or wipe before testing - ensure hands are dry before proceeding
- Your meter should be cleaned regularly and always if it is visibly dirty - see your instruction guide for more details
Step 4 - Prepare Your Lancing Device
- Always use a fresh lancet when pricking your finger for each test
- Correctly insert the lancet into your lancing device and check that the device is cocked
- Replace the protective cap carefully
- If using an alternative testing site ensure you use the correct cap for your lancing device - consult your instruction guide
- Adjust the lancing depth to the lowest setting that allows for adequate blood to be drawn - this will come with testing experience
Step 5 - Prepare Your Meter & Insert The Testing Strip (If Required)
- Consult your instruction guide on how to prepare your meter - most meters will turn on automatically when a strip is inserted
- Be careful to insert the strip in the correct manner and do not touch the end of the strip to which you apply blood
- Upon insertion of the strip most meters will indicate that they are ready for a test
- Always check the expiry date on your testing strips - some strips expire a certain number of months after opening - consult the bottle
Step 6 - Use Your Lancing Device To Draw Blood
- Testing is most commonly done on the finger tips but alternative site testing (AST) may also be used - consult your instruction guide
- Gently massage your finger to form a small drop of blood - consult your instruction guide to determine the size of drop needed
- If blood smears dry the area and attempt to form another small drop of blood
Step 7 - Apply Blood To The Test Strip
- Consult your meter or strip guide to ensure you add blood to the strip properly - most strips wick blood from the end or side
- You will have a specific amount of time to apply blood from the time you insert the strip (1-5 mins depending on the meter)
- Some strips allow you to add more blood to the strip within 5-60 seconds - consult your meter guide for more details
- If you do not apply blood soon enough, or do not apply enough blood your meter may shut off and you will have to restart
- Never insert a used strip into a meter or attempt to reuse a strip filled with blood after your meter turned off
- If the meter obtained sufficient blood most meters will indicate that a test has begin
Step 8 - Obtain Test Results
- Most meters take approximately 5 seconds to complete a test and many will count down the test time
- Once the test is finished the result will be displayed on the screen and recorded within the meter - record in your log book if needed
- Confirm that your blood glucose is within the appropriate range based on your healthcare provider's recommendation
- If you blood glucose is not within the appropriate range take action based on your specific case - consult your healthcare provider
- If your meter indicates that you have hypoglycemia (result less than 4.0 mmol/L) manage the hypoglycemic event appropriately
- If you receive an error code or message consult your instruction guide and follow the appropriate instructions to resolve the error
Step 9 - Clean Up Your Testing Equipment
- Safely dispose of your testing strip, lancet, and any material with blood on it in your sharps/biohazard container
- If bleeding from the testing site compress the site lightly with a tissue or other absorbent pad until the bleeding stops
- Access any additional functions on your meter as needed - consult your meter instruction guide
- Replace all equipment neatly
Congratulations!
You successfully completed the TestHappy! Guide to Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose! If you have any questions or comments about this guide please Contact Us. If you have any questions about your meter check your instruction guide or consult your pharmacist.
You successfully completed the TestHappy! Guide to Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose! If you have any questions or comments about this guide please Contact Us. If you have any questions about your meter check your instruction guide or consult your pharmacist.
- Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee. Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and management of diabetes in Canada. Can J Diabetes. 2008;32(suppl 1): S1-S201. Available at: http://www.diabetes.ca/files/cpg2008/cpg-2008.pdf
- Canadian Diabetes Association. Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose in People. Available at: http://www.diabetes.ca/for-professionals/resources/self-monitoring-of-blood-glucose. Accessed March 2, 2013.
- How to Test Your Blood Sugar. BD Diabetes. Available at: http://www.bd.com/ca/diabetes/english/page.aspx?cat=14501&id=19038. Accessed March 7, 2013.
- Abbott Diabetes Care. Freestyle Insulinx Owner's Booklet. Mississauga, ON; 2011.
- Bayer Inc. Contour Next User Guide. Toronto, ON; 2012.
- LifeScan Inc. OneTouch VerioIQ Owner's Booklet. Burnaby, BC; 2011.
- Roche Diagnostics. Accu-Chek Mobile User's Manual. Laval, QC;2010.
- sanofi-aventis. iBGStar Owner's Guide. Laval, QC; 2011.