Page 36 - Norco Patient Orientation Handbook e-book
P. 36
Grab Bars
Secure grab bars to tub or wall as defined in manufacturer's installation sheet.
Have a family member or caregiver apply pressure to the bar to ensure stability.
Always exert downward force when sitting or rising from the tub or transfer bench. Using horizontal
movement may cause the bar to slide, tip or break and the patient to slip in the tub.
Cleaning/Maintenance/Troubleshooting
Clean rubber tips with alcohol to remove oil, grease, or talc periodically.
Inspect tips/wheels for wear, tear, cracks, or rips.
Keep the bathtub clean and free of soap film to prevent slipping.
For infection control, clean all parts with 1 part bleach and 9 parts water. Rinse and allow to air dry for 10
minutes..
BLOOD GLUCOSE TESTING
Education
Diabetes is characterized by either the body's inability to produce insulin, or resistance to its own insulin.
Insulin is a hormone which helps move glucose from the blood into the body's cells for energy, self-repair,
growth and other various cellular functions. Home blood glucose monitoring allows diabetics to monitor
how much glucose is in the blood stream at a given time and adjust the amount of food or medication
needed to move the glucose.
Blood Glucose testing involves pricking your finger with a lancet (a small, sharp needle), putting a drop of
blood on a test strip and then placing the strip into a meter that displays your blood sugar level. Meters vary
in features, readability (with larger displays or spoken instructions for the visually impaired), portability,
speed, size, and cost. Current devices provide results in less than 15 seconds and can store this information
for future use. These meters can also calculate an average blood sugar level over a period of time. Some
meters also feature software kits that retrieve information from the meter and display graphs and charts of
your past test results.
The chart below gives you an idea of where your blood sugar level should be throughout the day. Your ideal
blood sugar range may be different from another person's and will change throughout the day.
Time of Test Ideal for Adults With Diabetes
Before meals 80-130 mg/dL
After meals Less than 180 mg/dL
*Source: American Diabetes Association, 2009
Preparation
Several pieces of equipment are used for home blood glucose monitoring including a glucometer, test strips,
a lancet, log book and a pen. Keep your supplies together. Testing your blood glucose can be done
anywhere at anytime, but it is best to find a quiet spot where you will be comfortable and not distracted.
Wash and thoroughly dry your hands. If you will be using an alternative site, wash and dry the area as well.
Anything on your skin can affect the results. For this reason, it is not advisable to use rubbing alcohol. Most
hand sanitizers contain alcohol. If you must use one, be sure the skin is completely dry and note in your log
book that you used it. Check the code on your test strips to ensure it matches the code in your meter. There
may be a chip inserted or the meter will give you this information when you turn it on.
Test Procedures
Remove a test strip taking care not to touch the area where the blood sample goes.
