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Measuring blood glucose levels
The blood glucose level is usually measured with a finger prick. You make a small hole on the side of the finger from which a little blood comes out. This blood also contains blood glucose.
You can read the blood glucose level with a blood glucose meter. It is important to take this measurement properly, because too low blood glucose can cause problems. People with diabetes in particular need to measure their blood glucose levels regularly.
Do you know how to perform a reliable blood sugar level measurement and at what time? Are you sure that you are reading the correct value and not making the mistakes below? Make sure you’re proficient in this important action and start measuring blood glucose levels with a fingerstick in our Virtual Learning Lab today
3 Things that can go wrong with blood glucose measurement
- Blood glucose meter reliability
Unfortunately, the blood glucose meter is not always as reliable as the manufacturer claims. The more the meter deviates, the greater the chance of an incorrect dose of insulin.
For example, if the meter deviates by 5%, an incorrect dose of insulin is already given in 8 to 23% of the injections. If the meter deviates towards 10%, the margin of error increases even further and 16 to 45% receive an incorrect dose of insulin.
- Proper hand cleaning
It is very important to clean the place where you are going to prick well first. Dirty or oily skin changes the measurement result. If there is no soap or water nearby, you can also clean the skin with hand sanitizer. This gives the same test results as cleaning with soap and water.
- Correct operation of blood glucose meter
In addition, it appears that many people know what control solution is, but that almost 60% never use it. If you don’t check, you don’t know whether the blood glucose meter is working correctly, which in turn has consequences for the correct dose of insulin.
What are the correct blood sugar target values?
The correct blood glucose level varies from person to person. In addition, the circumstances in which the measurement takes place must always be taken into account. For example, a meal, exercise or the menstrual cycle can affect blood sugar levels.
As a healthcare professional, you must be able to take the correct measurement and interpret the correct value, taking into account any circumstances. Only in this way can you be sure that you are administering the right insulin to a patient.
Someone with diabetes ideally measures the blood sugar level 2 hours before meals, but also 2 hours after meals. In this way, the patient knows whether the dosage of insulin has been correct in combination with the meal.
Measuring the blood glucose level via the finger prick seems like a simple action, but a small deviation can have major consequences. Make sure you are taking the right steps. Start today with our Virtual Learning Lab, so you learn the necessary theory and you can practice practice online.
