Technical Manual:

Using a Blood
Glucose Meter
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Table of Contents
Section 1: Getting Started................................ p. 3

Section 2: Setting Up Your Device...................p. 4

Section 3: Proper Lancing Techniques....p. 5

Section 4: Proper Blood Application...............p. 6

Section 5: Getting a Blood Glucose Reading..p. 7

Section 6: Tips and Tricks.................................p. 9

Section 7: Caring for Your Device.................p. 10

References.........................................................p. 11

Section 1: Getting Started

Congratulations on your purchase of a blood glucose
meter! Although there are many different devices
available on the market, this manual should be able to
teach you how to use a variety of devices.

By the end of reading this manual you should be able

to:
Set up your device
Take an accurate blood glucose reading
Understand the best lancing techniques
Identify useful tips for achieving the best blood
glucose reading.
Properly care for your device

You will need a complete set that includes the

following:
Blood Glucose meter
Lancing device
Sterile lancets
Test strips
Alcohol wipe/soap and water

Section 2: Setting Up Your Device

Many blood glucose meters have options to set up certain
features such as:
Date formats
Time formats
Language
Flags and comments
Coding
Consult your device-specific manual to navigate and configure these
settings.

Important: You must first calibrate your device to the test strip
you are using!
1. Identify the code on the test
strip vial.
2. Using clean, dry hands, take
one strip and insert it into
your blood glucose meter.
3. Make sure that the number
on the screen matches the
number on the vial.
4. Use the up and down arrow
keys to match the desired
number.
5. Press the OK button or
leave the desired number for
5 secs. The screen should
now say APPLY BLOOD.

Section 3: Proper Lancing Techniques

1. Wash your hands or clean them

with an alcohol wipe.
2. Take your lancing device and
snap off the cap.
3. Take one sterile lancet and
insert it into your lancing
device.
4. Twist off the protective cover
from the lancet.
5. Adjust the lancet devices depth
setting. (Some may have this
feature, some may not.)
The lower the number, the shallower the
puncture less painful.
6. Cock the lancing device by
sliding the cocking control
backwards, until it clicks.
7. Aim the lancing device at the
sterilized puncture spot.
8. Press the release button.
9. Squeeze around the puncture
spot until a round drop of blood
is exposed. Make sure that it does
not smear or run flat.

Section 4: Proper Blood Application

This process should be followed after a round

drop of blood has been exposed (see section 3)
and the test strip has been properly calibrated
in the meter (see section 2).

1. Keep your puncture

spot upright and
steady and bring the
test strip close to it.
2. Gently touch the test
strip to the blood
droplet and make
sure the strip does not
come into contact
with your skin.
3. Allow the
confirmation window
to fill completely.
4. Read your result on
the meter after 5 secs.

Section 5: Getting a Blood Glucose Reading

1. Insert your test strip into the blood

glucose meter.
2. Calibrate your test strip to the blood
glucose meter. (See section 2.)
3. Sterilize your hands and the puncture
spot.
4. Insert the lancet into the lancing device
and remove the cap. Store the cap for use
later. Adjust the depth setting, as needed.
5. Cock the lancing device and puncture the
desired spot.
6. Squeeze the blood until a round blood
drop is exposed. (See section 3.)
7. Keep your blood droplet steady and
upright.
8. Gently let the test meter to come into
contact with the blood drop.
9. Allow the confirmation window to fill.
10. Read your blood glucose level.

11. Remove the lancet out of your lancing

device and push the needle into the stored
cap.
12. Dispose of the lancet in a sharps
container.
13. Turn off your blood glucose meter and
store all materials.

Section 6: Tips and Tricks

Use the following tips and tricks to get the most
accurate and helpful blood glucose readings.

After cleaning your hands, make sure to dry

them. Any leftover water or alcohol will
negatively affect your results.
Use the 2nd drop of blood. After pricking
your finger (or puncture spot), wipe away
the first drop of blood with a clean tissue.
Squeeze the area a bit more to get a 2nd
drop. Use the 2nd drop as your test sample.
Avoid squeezing your puncture spot too
much. Excessive squeezing will release
unwanted fluids along with the blood.
Make sure to appropriately store your
device. Protect it from extreme
temperatures and humidity.

Section 7: Caring for Your Device

Battery Care
Always replace your batteries
whenever the battery indicator is
low.
Replace them with fresh batteries
every time.

Storage
Store everything in its storage case
after each use.
Close the test strip vial cap tightly
after each use.
Store in all items in a cool, dry
location.

Cleaning the Meter

Wipe the outside with a soft,
slightly-moistened cloth.
DO NOT use any alcohol or strong
chemicals.

Cleaning the Lancet Device

Wipe with a soft cloth that has been
dampened with water and mild
soap.

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References
Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. (2014). FreeStyle InsuLinx owners booklet.
Retrieved from https://www.myfreestyle.com/dms/abbott-my-free-
style/document/FreeStyle-InsuLinx/Owners-Guide/ART23294-
005_rev-A-Web.pdf
Bayer HealthCare LLC. (2011). Contour blood glucose monitoring system user
guide. Retrieved from
https://www.contournext.com/static/documents/classic-
contour/Cntr_83349833_UG_US_ENna_FpBp_R01-11_web.pdf
Blood cells wallpaper [Online image]. (2017). Retrieved from
http://www.pictureicon.com/image/download-blood-cells-wallpaper
EasyMax. (2010). EasyMax self monitoring blood glucose system users manual.
Retrieved from http://www.oaktree-
health.com/Manuals/EMV2_UM%20.pdf
LifeScan. (2009). OneTouch Ultra2 user guide. Retrieved from
http://www.onetouch.com/sites/default/files/file/Ultra2%20Eng%2006
650001A_OU2_UG_US_en_R1_web.pdf
Neithercott, T. (2012). 10 ways to master your blood glucose meter. Diabetes
Forecast. Retrieved from
http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2012/apr/10-ways-to-master-your-
blood-glucose-meter.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

Contact Information:
If you have any questions regarding the material presented in this
manual, please contact Keanu Gomez.
Email: Keanu.gomez@uky.edu
Ph. (859)494-4599

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