Blood Glucose Monitoring

Question 1

What is blood glucose?

Answer 1

Amount of glucose in the blood at time of measurement

Question 2

What does blood glucose indicate?

Answer 2

The amount of fuel available for cellular energy

Question 3

When might we measure blood glucose?

Answer 3

• As needed for diagnostic testing
• Standard orders for diabetic patients (Fasting or 2 hour postprandial)
• Symptomatic

Question 4

What is the reading for hypoglycemia?

Answer 4

<50 mg/dL

Question 5

What is the reading for hyperglycemia fasting?

Answer 5

> 109 mg/dL

Question 6

What is the reading for normal hyperglycemia?

Answer 6

> 127 mg/dL

Question 7

Supplies needed for a blood glucose reading

Answer 7

• Blood glucose meter
• Sterile lancet
• Test strips
• Alcohol pads
• Gauze or cotton ball

Question 8

What do you need to assess before doing a blood glucose reading?

Answer 8

• Assess the patient’s comprehension of the procedure
• Assess potential puncture sites for bruising, inflammation, open lesions, poor circulation, or edema
• Check for factors like anticoagulant therapy, bleeding disorders, or low platelet count

Question 9

Steps for a blood glucose reading (13 steps)

Answer 9

1. Verify orders for frequency & timing of testing
2. Ask the patient to wash their hands
3. Turn on the blood glucose meter
4. Check that the strip is the correct type for the meter
5. Don gloves
6. Remove the strip from the container and place in the meter
7. Select & clean the fingerstick site w/alcohol & allow to dry
8. Position & prick finger
9. Wipe away first drop of blood w/cotton ball
10. Collect new drop of blood on test strip until its read
11. Apply pressure to site w/cotton ball
12. Read the result
13. Turn off the meter, remove gloves, complete hand hygiene, & document

Question 10

What do you evaluate after your blood glucose procedure?

Answer 10

• Assess the puncture site for bleeding or bruising
• Evaluate the patient’s understanding of the procedure & test results
• Promptly notify the provider of abnormal test results or administer insulin based on test results as prescribed

Question 11

What do you document after the procedure?

Answer 11

• Record the fingerstick blood glucose result
• Note whether the provider was notified & record any treatment given
• Document patient teaching

Question 12

What kind of education should you do with your patient?

Answer 12

• Explain the procedure, test results, treatment
• If performing at some, teach the patient how to complete the fingerstick & ask them to perform a return demonstration
• Discuss importance of maintaining glycemic control