Nursing Component Task
Nursing procedures & clinical learning

Paediatric Nursing (PAED)

CHECKING OF BLOOD SUGAR (GLUCOSE) OF A CHILD

This is the procedure for measuring capillary blood glucose levels in children using a glucometer.

Purpose

  • Monitor blood glucose levels
  • Detect hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia
  • Guide diabetes management
  • Screen for glucose abnormalities
  • Evaluate treatment effectiveness

Indications

  • Known diabetes
  • Suspected hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia
  • Altered consciousness
  • Seizures
  • Poor feeding in infants
  • Critical illness

Equipment

  • Glucometer and test strips
  • Lancet device
  • Sterile lancets
  • Gloves
  • Alcohol swabs
  • Gauze pads
  • Sharps container
  • Log book for recording

Preparation

  • Ensure glucometer is calibrated
  • Check expiration of test strips
  • Gather all equipment
  • Select appropriate lancet size

Procedure steps

  • Verify physician order if required
  • Explain procedure to child and family
  • Perform hand hygiene
  • Put on gloves
  • Select puncture site (side of fingertip, heel for infants)
  • Clean site with alcohol and allow to dry
  • Insert test strip into glucometer
  • Wait for indicator signal
  • Puncture skin with lancet
  • Wipe away first drop of blood
  • Touch second drop to test strip
  • Wait for reading
  • Apply pressure with gauze
  • Dispose of lancet in sharps container
  • Record result
  • Report abnormal values

Precautions

  • Use correct test strips for meter
  • Ensure hands are clean and dry
  • Do not share lancets
  • Follow infection control protocols
  • Verify extreme results

Aftercare

  • Ensure bleeding has stopped
  • Comfort child
  • Provide snack if hypoglycemic
  • Document and report results

Nursing considerations

  • Rotate puncture sites
  • Consider pain management
  • Use smallest effective lancet
  • Involve child in care when appropriate

Patient education

  • Teach self-monitoring if appropriate
  • Explain target ranges
  • Demonstrate technique
  • Discuss factors affecting readings

Documentation

  • Date and time of test
  • Blood glucose value
  • Site used
  • Relation to meals/medications
  • Symptoms if present
  • Actions taken for abnormal results

References and further reading

Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.

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