40 Questions
What is the function of a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system?
To monitor blood glucose levels in real time
Where is the sensor of a CGM system inserted?
Abdomen or back of the arm
How often are sensors of a CGM system typically replaced?
Every 7 to 14 days
What is glycated hemoglobin (HgbA1C) a measure of?
Glucose control for the past 3 months
How long does the complex of hemoglobin attached to glucose last?
Approximately 120 days
What is the normal range for glycated hemoglobin for people with diabetes?
Less than 7%
What do ketones in the urine signal in patients with type 1 diabetes?
Deficiency of insulin and deteriorating diabetes control
When should urine ketone testing be performed for patients with type 1 diabetes?
During illness and persistently elevated blood glucose levels
What do large amounts of ketones in the urine indicate?
Deteriorating diabetes control
What is the function of a urine dipstick such as Ketostix or Chemstrip uK in relation to ketones?
To detect ketonuria
What is a crucial factor for patients to know about their blood glucose monitor and strips?
Whether their monitor and strips provide whole blood or plasma results
What is a common source of error in Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG)?
Improper application of blood
When is Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) recommended for most patients who require insulin?
Two to four times daily, usually before meals and at bedtime
What is a key component of treatment for intensive insulin therapy and diabetes management during pregnancy?
Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG)
What role do nurses play in relation to Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG)?
Providing initial education about SMBG techniques and evaluating the techniques of experienced patients
What should patients do in response to SMBG results?
Establishing baseline patterns, adjusting treatment regimens based on patterns, and contacting the primary provider when necessary
What are some factors affecting SMBG performance?
Visual acuity, fine motor coordination, cognitive ability, comfort with technology, and willingness to use it, and cost
What should patients using intensive insulin therapy regimens be instructed in?
The use of algorithms for changing insulin doses based on patterns of values greater or less than the target range and the amount of carbohydrate to be consumed
What can some blood glucose monitors check in addition to blood glucose levels?
Blood ketone levels for DKA susceptibility
What can most insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid cover in relation to Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG)?
Some or all of the costs of meters and strips
What is the primary method of capillary blood glucose testing in Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG)?
Applying a drop of blood to a test strip that is read by a meter
What is the recommended frequency for SMBG for many patients taking insulin?
Before meals, snacks, and exercise
What role does SMBG play in diabetes management?
Enabling people with diabetes to individualize their treatment regimen
What do the meters available for SMBG offer in terms of features and benefits?
Monthly averages, tracking of events such as exercise and food consumption, and downloading capacity
What is the general method for obtaining a drop of blood for SMBG?
From the fingertip, applying the blood to a special reagent strip
What is the purpose of allowing the blood to stay on the strip for a specified amount of time during SMBG?
To enable the strip to react with the blood and provide an accurate reading
What does the meter provide during SMBG?
A digital readout of the blood glucose value
What is the crucial role of SMBG in normalizing blood glucose levels?
Detection and prevention of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia
What does SMBG enable people with diabetes to do in relation to their treatment regimen?
Individualize their treatment regimen
What is the purpose of tracking events such as exercise and food consumption through SMBG?
To understand the impact of these events on blood glucose levels
What is SMBG?
A method of capillary blood glucose testing using a meter
When is SMBG recommended for many patients taking insulin?
Before meals, snacks, and exercise
What does SMBG enable people with diabetes to do?
Individualize their treatment regimen
What role does SMBG play in normalizing blood glucose levels?
It plays a crucial role
What do most methods for SMBG involve?
Obtaining a drop of blood from the fingertip
What does the meter give during SMBG?
A digital readout of the blood glucose value
What features do the meters available for SMBG offer?
Monthly averages, tracking of events, and downloading capacity
What is the purpose of applying blood to a special reagent strip during SMBG?
To obtain a blood glucose reading
What does SMBG enable people with diabetes to detect and prevent?
Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia
What is the recommended frequency for SMBG to occur for many patients taking insulin?
When circumstances call for it
Study Notes
Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) in Diabetes Management
- Most blood glucose monitors can use blood obtained from alternative test sites, such as the forearm, and there are special lancing devices for patients with painful fingertips.
- Laboratory methods measure plasma glucose, and it is crucial for patients to know whether their monitor and strips provide whole blood or plasma results.
- Factors affecting SMBG performance include visual acuity, fine motor coordination, cognitive ability, comfort with technology, and willingness to use it, and cost.
- Some meters are available for patients with visual impairments, and some can check both blood glucose and blood ketone levels for DKA susceptibility.
- Most insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid cover some or all of the costs of meters and strips.
- Common sources of error in SMBG include improper application of blood, damage to reagent strips, use of outdated strips, and improper meter cleaning and maintenance.
- Nurses play an important role in providing initial education about SMBG techniques and evaluating the techniques of experienced patients.
- SMBG is a useful tool for managing self-care for everyone with diabetes and is a key component of treatment for intensive insulin therapy and diabetes management during pregnancy.
- For most patients who require insulin, SMBG is recommended two to four times daily, usually before meals and at bedtime.
- Patients are asked to keep a record or logbook of blood glucose levels to detect patterns, and testing is done at specific times to evaluate the need for dosage adjustments.
- Responding to SMBG results includes establishing baseline patterns, adjusting treatment regimens based on patterns, and contacting the primary provider when necessary.
- Patients using intensive insulin therapy regimens may be instructed in the use of algorithms for changing insulin doses based on patterns of values greater or less than the target range and the amount of carbohydrate to be consumed.
Test your knowledge of Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) in diabetes management with this quiz. Explore topics such as alternative test sites, factors affecting SMBG performance, insurance coverage, common errors, nursing roles, and treatment regimens.
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