Page 22 - The SA Journal Diabetes & Vascular Disease Volume 9 No 4 (November 2012)

SA JOURNAL OF DIABETES & VASCULAR DISEASE
164 VOLUME 9 NUMBER 4 • NOVEMBER 2012
Monitoring
BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITORING
FOR PEOPLE ON INSULIN
S Afr J Diabetes Vasc Dis 2012;
9: 164–167
Sharon Preston
Community Diabetes Nurse, Luton
Treatment Centre; Tutor, Primary Care
Training Centre, Bradford; Practice Nurse, Luton This article will examine the issues surround-
ing blood glucose monitoring for people
treated with insulin. It will look at the practi-
cal skills required for patients to test accurately, the
roles of the individual patient and the healthcare
professional in successful monitoring, and the equip-
ment required. The aim of the article is to ensure that
monitoring justifies the expense and time involved
by achieving good glycaemic control.
Blood glucose monitoring is an essential part of
managing diabetes controlled by insulin. It provides
a snapshot picture of the person’s blood glucose
level at that moment. A single blood glucose meas-
urement cannot be used to assess overall control as
HbA1c can, and one reading should not be used in
isolation when adjusting treatment. However, used
correctly, it can provide an invaluable tool to help
achieve good glycaemic control and quality of life.
To achieve this requires skill to perform testing and
education to interpret the results.
Monitoring also allows the early detection of up-
Blood glucose monitoring can be used to:
• Titrate insulin doses
• Monitor for episodes of hypoglycaemia
• Maintain glycaemic control during episodes
of illness
• Maintain glycaemic control when receiving certain
medications, such as steroid therapy
• Establish the effects of foods or exercise on blood
glucose levels
• Ensure safety during activities or driving
Originally in Br J Prim Care Nursing
2009