In self-monitoring Blood glucose, follow these steps:
1. Wash hands with warm water. It is not necessary to clean the site with alcohol, and it may interfere with test results. Fingers should dry before puncturing.
2. If it is difficult to obtain a drop of blood, warm the hands in warm water or let the arms hang independently for a few minutes before the puncture is made.
3. Use the side of the finger pad rather than the center as fewer nerve endings are along the side of the finger pad.
4. The puncture should be deep enough to obtain a sufficiently large drop of blood. Unnecessarily deep punctures may cause pain and bruise.
5. Follow your Glucometer instructions for testing the blood and monitoring any changes in the readings.
6. Record results and compare them to personal target glucose goals.
Monitoring your glucose level is a healthy habit.
Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is an important component of modern therapy for diabetes mellitus. SMBG has been recommended for people with diabetes and their health care professionals in order to achieve a specific level of glycemic control and to prevent hypoglycemia. The goal of SMBG is to collect detailed information about blood glucose levels at many time points to enable maintenance of a more constant glucose level by more precise regimens. It can be used to aid in the adjustment of a therapeutic regimen in response to blood glucose values and to help individuals adjust their dietary intake, physical activity, and insulin doses to improve glycemic control on a day-to-day basis