Testing blood glucose and giving insulin

Testing blood glucose – FastClix pen

Initially blood sugars should be tested before each meal and two hours post meal. This is so insulin requirement can be assessed more accurately by the diabetes team. Once your child’s diabetes
has stabilised this can be reduced to pre-meal and bedtime only and when you or your child feel that their blood sugar is either too high or too low. More frequent testing may be required during periods of illness, stress, travel, exercise etc.

• Wash and dry hands
• Turn the machine on and insert a new test strip into the machine. A code number will appear (111) followed by a symbol prompting the user to apply a blood droplet
• Hold the needle end of the lancet firmly against the side of the fingertip and press the button. This should prick the skin and with a small amount of pressure a blood drop will appear. If not, push up from the base of the finger to express blood or if necessary repeat
• Wipe away the first droplet of blood using cotton wool or a tissue
• Holding the meter, place the tip of the test strip into the blood droplet and it will draw up enough blood to fill the end. If it has taken too long and the meter has ‘timed out’ pull out the strip and replace it to switch the meter back on
• If there is not enough blood in the testing strip repeat with a new strip
• After a few seconds the result will appear on the screen
• Record the result in your diary. The meter will turn itself off
• Push the white button forward then back again to rotate the dirty needle.
• Each lancet barrel holds six lancets. The amount left will be shown as a number on the side of the device so you will know when it needs changing. N.B if the number was on 1 before you tested please replace the drum
• Dispose of the used strip into the sharps bin.

Top tips for testing blood glucose

• Wash hands in hot water
• Ensure hands are warm
• Hold the hand you are intending to use downward for a minute
• Wait a few seconds after pricking before squeezing out the blood.

Administration of insulin

• After testing blood glucose, get the insulin pen out of its case and remove the lid
• Remove the paper cover from the new needle and push onto the pen. Turn clockwise until secure
• First remove outer plastic cover then small needle guard
• Dial up four units of insulin by turning the dial at the end and carry out an ‘air shot’ by pressing the plunger at the top of the pen
• The dosage dial should have returned to 0 and a small amount of insulin should come out of the end of the needle. Repeat if no insulin is seen. The needle is now primed and ready
• Dial up the required dose of insulin
• Push the needle straight into the skin on any of the sites (see picture) and administer the insulin by pressing the plunger at the top of the pen
• Make sure that the dial has returned to zero and count to 10 to make sure all the insulin has been injected. It is not unusual for a small amount to leak out when the needle is removed
• The pen needle can now be safely removed from the pen by replacing the outer cover and unscrewing the needle anticlockwise, or by carefully unscrewing it. Dispose of the  needle into the sharps bin.

Recommended sites for insulin injections

• Front of stomach
• Front of upper legs
• Back of buttocks
• Back of arms

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