BLOOD GLUCOMETER

1: Definition
Blood glucometer is medical equipment used to measure and monitor the blood sugar level of
patients/clients.

2: Parts
1. Body

2. Screen

3. On/Off switch

4. Adjusting button

5. Provision for the test strips

6. Battery compartment

3: Accessories
1. Lancet

2. Lancet holder

3. Test strips

4: Preparation
1. Ensure that glucometer is in good working condition.

2. Check that the batteries are still working well.

3. Make sure the test strips are enough for the day‟s work.

4. Ensure that the Lancet and Lancet holder are in good working condition.

5. Make sure the code on the strip container matches with the machine.
5: Operation
1. Insert a new sterile lancet into the lancing device firmly until when it is in place and remove the
protective cap from the lancet‟s end.

2. Adjust the lancing device to get the depth to puncture depending on the amount of blood
required.

3. Use sterile swab to wipe off dirt from client‟s finger.

4. Hold the lancing device firmly against client‟s finger and press the release button ejecting the
lancet device to allow it to puncture the finger tip for blood sample.

5. Squeeze the side of the fingertip gently to bring a drop of blood to the surface about 0.3 to 1 ul
this depends on the model.

6. Wait until the meter displays the sign for inserting test strip.

7. Gently put the test strip into the machine port then wait for the meter to display the reading.

8. The time it takes to read the test strip may range from 3 to 60 seconds.

9. Read your blood glucose testing results as it is also store in the monitor.

10. Remove the test strip from the glucometer and switch off then discard the test strip.

6: Results
1. The results may be interpreted according to the set of the machine.

2. Example – In mmol or mgdl

3. To change mgdl to mmol you divide by 18 while to change mmol to mgdl you 74 multiply by 18.

7: Care
7-1: Immediate care
1. Switch off the glucometer.

2. Remove the used strip from the glucometer and discard in a safety box.

3. Clean the test strip port with dump cloth and leave it dry.

4. Place the glucometer back in its bag and put in designated place.

5. Leave the patient comfortable.

7-2: Routine care

1. Check for leakage of the batteries; if not in use remove the batteries from glucometer.

2. Clean the machine with dump cloth and keep it in its bag.
3. Check the functioning of the glucometer regularly and report any fault to immediate supervisor.

4. Daily handing over to the next Health worker.

5. Servicing by a Technician after every six months.

6. Ensure the glucometer is entered in the Asserts book.

7. It must also be in the inventory book.

Note:
1. At the time of peripheral circulation imperfection and remarkable low blood pressure,
hypothermia (because there is little bloodstream for the measurement position).

2. The measurement of an arrhythmic frequent patient.

3. The measurement of a patient using a heart lung machine.