How to Use a Test Meter

Having diabetes means that you either do not produce insulin, or your body makes insulin but is not able to use it effectively. Therefore, diabetics need to inject synthetic insulin in order to regulate their blood sugar. However, it is difficult to recreate the system perfectly and therefore, your blood sugar must be monitored throughout the day in order to keep it in a normal range, which is considered to be between 80 and 120 mg/dl. The way blood sugar is monitored is through the use of a test meter.

Things You'll Need

• Test meter
• Test strip
• Lancing device

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Instructions

• 1

  Take a test strip out of the vial and insert the end with the computer chip into the appropriate slot of the meter. There is normally only one slot on each meter so do not be afraid that you have inserted the test strip into the wrong place. For most meters, the test strip will turn the meter on and activate it so that it is ready for use.

• 2

  Look for the picture of the drop of blood on the screen of the meter. This means that the test strip is ready for your blood sample.

• 3

  Clean your fingertip with an alcohol swab.

• 4

  Place the tip of lancing device against one of your fingertips. Push the button on the lancing device to puncture your finger and draw a drop of blood.

• 5

  Place the drop of blood on the test strip in the appropriate spot.

• 6

  Wait for the meter to give you your results; this will generally take anywhere from five to 30 seconds, depending your particular meter.

• 7

  Read your result and follow your doctor's orders as to how to address any low or high blood sugar readings.