Health Promotion and Maintenance Q 129

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Nurse Jamie should explain to a male client with diabetes that self-monitoring of blood glucose is preferred to urine glucose testing because:

  

     A. More accurate

     B. Can be done by the client

     C. It is easy to perform

     D. It is not influenced by drugs

    

    

Correct Answer: A. More accurate

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Urine testing provides an indirect measure that may be influenced by kidney function while blood glucose testing is a more direct and accurate measure. Accurate measurement of blood glucose is superior to the capillary blood glucose test. However, this is dependent on the laboratory meeting established industry standards.

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Option B: Both tests can be done by the client himself. Equipment used includes a lancet used to prick the skin, a glucometer, and test strips. Glucometers have a range of features with modern smart machines requiring a very small sample of blood (from 0.3 to 1 microL), have Bluetooth capabilities that synchronize data with paired applications (apps) on smartphones. These machines and apps record data and provide trends in glucose measurements undertaken.

Option C: Both procedures can be easily performed by the client. Blood samples can also also be sourced from alternate sites such as the earlobe, heel, forearm, palm. Alternate site testing provides similar results to finger-prick testing, especially in the fasting and two-hour post meal times. Using alternate sites may be less painful but may need a deeper lance.

Option D: When the client has taken a drug before performing a procedure, this procedure could be affected by the drug taken. Blood glucose monitoring may support the diagnosis and management of the client with impaired glucose metabolism or diabetes. Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is not recommended for patients with type 2 diabetes on oral antidiabetic drugs and or dietary management.

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