Blood Glucose Testing

Introduction

1. Wash hands, introduce yourself, confirm patient details, explain the procedure, obtain consent
2. Ask the patient to wash their hands with soap and water

Preparation

1. Wash hands
2. Clean a tray
3. Place equipment in the tray:
   • Gloves
   • Lancet
   • Glucometer (calibrate with calibration fluid if necessary)
   • Glucometer test strip (insert strip and turn glucometer on)
   • Sterile gauze

Procedure

1. Wash hands
2. Choose lateral/medial border of finger pulp
3. Put on gloves
4. Pierce skin with a lancet
5. Discard lancet into a sharps bin
6. Wipe off the first drop of blood with gauze
7. Massage finger from proximal to distal to encourage blood flow
8. When a 2nd large drop of blood appears, apply golden part of test strip to side of blood drop until glucometer beeps
9. Place gauze over the puncture site and apply pressure

To Complete

1. Thank patient
2. Discard test strip/waste and clean tray, then discard gloves and wash hands
3. Record capillary glucose readings in the patient’s notes