FAQ and Resources

What do I do if the skin prick continues to bleed?

This is not uncommon, especially if the person you care for takes any type of blood thinner (anticoagulant). Simply take a cotton ball and lightly hold the area for about 5 minutes. Bleeding should stop.

What do I do if the person’s blood glucose reading is higher or lower than normal?

This will depend on the health of the person. If he or she simply needs you to check their blood glucose, they will usually know whether they need to adjust their medicine, diet or exercise. If the reading is high and the person is not able to care for herself or himself, call their doctor or home health nurse. If the blood glucose is low, see the “Need to Know” section. After treatment call the home health nurse or doctor.

What can I do to be sure I measure the blood sugar correctly?

There are several things that you can do.

Is there one meter better than another?

All current meters are accurate if operated correctly. Most important is to know if the person’s insurance has a preferred meter.

What do I do if the meter displays a message that I am unfamiliar with?

This is likely an error code that indicates that there was a problem with the blood sample. Refer to the owner’s manual or call the 800 number for the meter company for assistance.