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Glucometer use
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Introduction
Electronic glucometer
  • In these glucometers, glucose in the blood sample reacts with the test strip to produce an electric current.
  • The magnitude of this current is proportional to the glucose concentration and is converted into a reading by the meter.
Uses
  • In house measurement of blood glucose:
    • Monitoring of diabetic Diabetes mellitus patients.
    • Monitoring of patients with insulinoma Pancreas: neoplasia: insulinoma.
    • Performing serial blood glucose curve Serial blood glucose , glucose tolerance tests Glucose tolerance test.
    • Also used for immediate results of blood glucose concentrations Blood biochemistry: glucose when investigating any disease.

Advantages
  • Rapid 'patient-side' blood glucose result.

Disadvantages
  • Errors associated with poor technique.
  • Regular calibration of glucometer essential to ensure accuracy of reading.

Alternative techniques
  • Laboratory analyzer (most accurate results but time delay in receiving results).
  • 'In-house' biochemistry analyzer (but requires more facilities).
  • Dipstick measurement of blood glucose (very inaccurate).

Procedure
  • A few minutes.
Requirements Top

Materials required
Minimum equipment
  • Glucometer:
    • Colorimetric.
    • Electronic.

Minimum consumables
  • Needle.
  • Syringe.
  • Glucometer test strips.
  • Anticoagulant tube if sample is not to be analyzed immediately.
  • Absorbent pad, eg gauze for blotting test strip.

Standard method

All glucometers function slightly differently and the insructions below are just a general guide as to the procedure.
Always read the instructions for your particular glucometer carefully before use.

Preparation Top
Procedure Top
Approach

Step 1 - Calibrate strip
  • Collect together all the equipment you will need.
  • Insert the calibration stick into the glucometer and the calibration number will automatically appear in the display.
  • Read out the value from the glucometer and record Glucometer use 01: calibration.
  • This number indicates the correct test strip to use.
  • Peel open the foil packet on a test strip.
  • Holding the test strip in the foil insert it into the port of the glucometer.
  • The display will now alternate between the calibration number and the number of the test strip Glucometer use 02: checking test strip.
  • Check that the number on the test strip matches the calibration number.

Step 2 - Measure blood glucose
  • Collect a blood sample either using a needle in the vein or into a syringe.
  • If using a needle and syringe expel a drop of blood to the needle tip after collection.
  • Touch the end of the test strip onto the drop of blood Glucometer use 03: blood application.
  • The test strip automatically draws the blood into the reaction chamber.
    If you place the blood on the test strip no reading will be recorded Glucometer use 04: errors.
  • The time remaining until a reading will be displayed is indicated Glucometer use 05: timing exposure.
  • The result is displayed in mmol/l after 60 seconds Glucometer use 06: glucose reading.
  • Remove the test strip and discard.

Core Procedure

Step 1 - Colorimetric glucometer use
  • Turn on the glucometer (the display should indicate the calibration number of the correct test strip Glucometer 02: validating test strip ).
  • Collect together all the equipment you will need Glucometer 01: colorimetric glucometer equipment.
  • Place a glucose stick on an absorbent background ready for use.
  • Collect a venous blood sample (preferably from the jugular vein) Blood sampling: jugular 01.
    Tip This sample can be collected into anticoagulant but if you are intending to analyze the sample immediately no anticoagulant is necessary.

Step 2 -
  • Place a single drop of blood on the glucose test strip so that the reading pad is completely covered with blood Glucometer 04: exposing test strip.
  • As you do this press the button on the glucometer to start the timer Glucometer 05: timing exposure.

Step 3 -
  • Leave blood in contact with test strip for exact time recommended by glucometer.
  • At end of contact time turn over the test strip and blot off excess blood on absorbent pad.
  • Place the clean test strip into the appropriate slot on the glucometer (ensuring that the pad is facing towards the reader).
  • Press the button on the glucometer to start the reading (in some cases this will take place automatically at the end of the initial timing period Glucometer 06: reading test strip ).
  • Read out the value from the glucometer and record Glucometer 07: blood glucose reading.
Aftercare Top
Immediate Aftercare

Special precautions
  • Ensure that the glucometer is cleaned thoroughly after use.
  • Quality control checks should be performed regularly to ensure that glucometer reading tallies with results from commercial laboratory.
Sequelae Top
Sources Top


Vetstream contributor(s)
  • Dr David Bruyette DVM DipACVIM , VCA West Los Angeles, 1818 South Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA.
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Subscribers and trialists can view the additional links below and within theadjacent article. To trial our services click here:
Blood biochemistry: glucose
Blood glucose curve: interpretation
Diabetes mellitus
Glucose tolerance test
Pancreas: neoplasia: insulinoma
Serial blood glucose
Blood sampling: jugular 01 Link Glucometer 01: colorimetric glucometer equipment Link
Glucometer 02: validating test strip Link Glucometer 04: exposing test strip Link
Glucometer 05: timing exposure Link Glucometer 06: reading test strip Link
Glucometer 07: blood glucose reading Link Glucometer use 01: calibration Link
Glucometer use 02: checking test strip Link Glucometer use 03: blood application Link
Glucometer use 04: errors Link Glucometer use 05: timing exposure Link
Glucometer use 06: glucose reading Link
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