Glucometer Directions

Diabetes is a progressive disease that requires frequent blood glucose monitoring. According to the American Diabetes Association, 23.6 million children and adults in America have a form of diabetes. A diet rich in low-fat, high-fiber and whole, natural products, along with exercise and weight control, is important to help control the disease. Sometimes medication is prescribed to further aid glucose control. A glucometer (which measures blood sugar) monitor allows you to keep track of blood sugar levels and how foods and exercise affect those levels. Staying within recommended levels before and after meals and exercise helps the diabetic have greater control.

Things You'll Need

• Glucometer monitor
• Clean test strips
• Alcohol prep-pads
• Soap and water

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands and wipe an alcohol prep-pad over the area to be tested. Place a fresh glucose test strip into the glucometer.

• 2

  Massage the skin area to be tested in order to stimulate blood. Place the monitor's lancing device at the side of your fingernail, activate it and slide a drop of blood onto the test paper. Various monitors require different sizes of blood samples. Some monitors are used on the thigh, forearm or hand.

• 3

  Hold the test strip with the blood sample and watch for the results to appear on the monitor's display. Wipe the skin when done testing.

• 4

  Track your results according to manufacturer's directions.