How to Use the One Touch Ultra 2

Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a serious condition that can result in a coma or death. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels due to the body's inability to utilize glucose. Over 20 million children and adults in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes. Blood glucose control is essential for managing diabetes; diabetics often test their blood sugar every day. The One Touch Ultra 2 is a glucose monitoring device that allows you to test your blood sugar at home with just a few important steps.

Things You'll Need

• One Touch Ultra 2 glucose meter
• Lancing device
• Test strips

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Instructions

• 1

  Check the code number on the test strip vial before using it in your One Touch Ultra 2. Code the glucose machine the first time you use it, and every time you use a new vial of test strips. Insert a test strip into the end of the meter with the silver contact bars facing you, and push the test strip in as far as it will go.

• 2

  Compare the number that appears on the glucose meter screen with the code number on the test strip container. If the numbers do not match, press the up and down arrow buttons on the glucose meter until you find the matching number. The numbers must match for the glucose monitor to work properly and provide accurate testing results.

• 3

  Fingertips provide an abundance of blood for glucose testing.

  Choose a sample site to test your blood sugar. The One Touch Ultra 2 web site suggests using your palm, the tip of a finger or your forearm. The fingertip is the easiest and most accurate way to obtain a blood sample for glucose testing.

• 4

  Wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water before testing. Rinse and dry with a clean towel. Remove the cap from the lancing device. Insert a lancet needle into the device by pushing it firmly into the opening.

• 5

  Twist and remove the protective disk from the tip of the lancet. Put the lancet device cap back on by snapping it into place. Twist the cap until the number on the dial indicates the depth of the puncture you prefer. Locate the large control button on the front of the lancet device, and slide the button back until it clicks.

• 6

  Hold the lancing tip firmly against your fingertip. Press the control button to release the lancet needle into your finger. Remove the lancing device from your finger, and gently squeeze your fingertip to produce a small drop of blood for testing. Move the glucose meter, with test strip inserted, toward your fingertip.

• 7

  Line up the test strip with your blood sample, allowing the edge of the strip to gently touch the blood drop. Let the channel absorb the blood into the strip, and wait for the meter to display your blood glucose result on the screen. The One Touch Ultra 2 automatically saves your blood sugar results in the meter's memory for careful monitoring of your diabetic condition.