How to Use a CCS Glucometer
CCS Medical carries a wide range of name-brand glucometers and diabetic supplies to help monitor blood glucose levels. Glucometers provide instant feedback, telling the diabetic how the prescribed treatment is working. Glucometers may vary slightly depending on type, but basic glucose monitoring is the same. Learning how to use a glucometer can seem complicated, but is not once basic techniques becomes routine.
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Things You'll Need
- Glucometer
- Test strips
- Glucometer code
- Test strips code
- Lancing device
- Blood sample
Instructions
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1
Check to see if the numbered code on the glucometer matches the numbered code on the test strip bottle, if this applies to your model glucometer. Remove a test strip from the container. Turn on the glucometer. Some models turn on immediately when a test strip is inserted into the machine. If using the meter for the first time, set the time and date per the manufacturer's instructions. The glucometer is ready once it indicates that it is time to apply blood--this is often done with the icon of a blood drop.
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Wash your hands with soap and water prior to testing. This step can prevent infection and false readings due to food residue on fingers. Do not wipe the area with alcohol unless the meter instructions permit it. Alcohol will alter the readings of some meters.
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3
Prick the skin on the tip of a finger with a new lancet to obtain blood. Newer glucometers allow blood from areas other than the fingers. They do this by using a different lancet device. Consult a health care provider about using this method, because glucose levels must be stable.
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Insert a lancet firmly into the lancet device, and twist the rounded cover on the lancet. To maintain sterility, keep the needle from coming in contact with anything foreign. Adjust the lancing device depth settings according to preference. Cock the spring-loaded device.
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Touch the blood sample next to the test strip. Watch the glucometer screen. It will show a "processing" symbol, and may emit a beep when the sample test is complete. The results will display on the screen.
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Record the test results in a logbook. Some glucometers have features that record results in the meter for later viewing via the internal computer. Review your glucose test results with health care professionals regularly.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep a supply of batteries for the glucometer.
Warm hands prior to using the lancet to make the blood flow more easily.
If a blood sample does not fill the test strip channel entirely, do not apply more blood. Discard the test strip and restart the process to prevent false readings.
References
- Photo Credit Diabetic Tools image by painless from Fotolia.com
