Introduction

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INTRODUCTION

When you provide care for a person who has Diabetes mellitus, you need to know how to measure their blood sugar (called blood glucose). The person’s blood glucose is a measure of their health.

Glucose is a simple sugar found in many foods. When it enters the bloodstream it provides energy for the body.
The cells of our body use glucose for normal metabolism.
Normally, glucose enters cells with the help of insulin.
Persons with diabetes either do not make enough insulin or are “insulin resistant” meaning they make insulin, but it does not work properly.

Diabetes

Measuring blood glucose helps a person with diabetes manage their disease. The level of a person’s blood glucose determines:

The diabetes medicines they should take.
The type and amount of food they can eat.
The level of exercise they can take part in.

Drop of blood applied to test strip

Measuring blood glucose requires a very simple blood test. You place a test strip into a small glucose meter. Then you prick the person’s finger with a sterile lancet and squeeze a small drop of blood onto the test strip. In a few seconds the meter displays the amount of glucose in the blood. The person’s doctor will tell you how often the person should check their blood glucose.

Learn how to measure a person’s blood glucose in case he or she becomes ill or has trouble handling the test meter or lancet.

Safe blood glucose monitoring requires you to:

Know the normal range for a blood glucose level.
Know what to do when a person’s blood glucose is too low or too high.
Obtain a blood drop without causing the person to get an infection.
Protect yourself from a lancet stick.

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By tracking blood glucose levels each day, a person will have a record showing how well their diabetes is under control.

Introduction

Video: Measuring Blood Glucose