Blood Glucose Monitoring

Table of Contents

In most cases, a learner who has diabetes may need to test their blood glucose level before eating, when not feeling well or as directed by their healthcare provider and parents. If the child is able to complete this task independently, let them.  The instructional steps assist the registered nurse working under the auspices of the school or program in professional judgement and accountability of delegation. Additional steps may be required depending on the learner’s health needs.

Steps

  1. Prepare a clean space to set the student’s meter and supplies
  2. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly and apply gloves
  3. Explain to the student the procedure
  4. Encourage the student to participate in the procedure (if developmentally appropriate and as much as possible)
  5. Have or help the student wash and dry hands thoroughly:  Food or other substances on the student’s fingers can affect the reading.
  6. Gather supplies: This includes the glucometer, test strips, lancet device (for pricking the student’s finger)
  7. Check expiration date of testing strips
  8. Perform quality control on equipment or verify quality control has been completed per the glucometer manufacturer’s instructions.
  9. If directed to use an alcohol swab (by the parents or provider), wipe the finger and allow it to dry completely before pricking your finger .
  10. Insert a new test strip into the meter: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper insertion. (Some meters will turn on automatically when the strip is inserted, while others require a button press)
  11. Encourage the student to take deep breathes or other relaxation techniques
  12. Choose a fingertip: Use the side of the student’s  finger, as it's less sensitive than the tip.
  13. Load a lancet into the lancing device: Follow the device's instructions for loading and setting the depth of the prick.
  14. Press the lancing device firmly against the side of the student's finger and release the needle: This will create a small puncture and allow a drop of blood to form.
  15. Squeeze the finger gently to obtain a drop of blood on the test strip (Avoid squeezing too hard, as this can dilute the blood sample)
  16. Touch the edge of the test strip to the drop of blood: Hold the strip in place until the meter indicates that it has absorbed enough blood per manufacturer’s instruction.
  17. Some meters have a built-in feature that automatically draws blood into the strip .
  18. Wait for the Result: The meter will display the student’s blood glucose level on the screen after a few seconds (Some display numbers, low, high and error messages)
  19. Dispose of used lancet  in a sharps container and used test strip using your school infection control protocol and waste guidance
  20. Follow any additional steps provided by the delegating school nurse.
  21. Remove gloves and wash hands. Have or help the student wash their hands.
  22. Document the date, time, result in a blood glucose, your initials and signature in the student education record.