You received an iGlucose lancet pen device, a widely-used tool to obtain a small blood sample for home testing. This article provides a step-by-step guide to correctly using a lancet pen device to ensure accurate blood glucose testing.
Step 1: Gather your supplies
To properly draw your blood by finger prick, you'll need the following items:
- Lancet pen device
- Lancets (sterile, single-use needles)
- iGlucose blood glucose meter—make sure your meter is charged and ready to go!
- Test strips—make sure they aren’t expired. It’s recommended that you write the date that you opened the test strips on the container. They last three months from the date of opening.
- Alcohol or warm soap and water
- Cotton ball or tissue
Step 2: Clean your hands and lancet pen
Wash your hands with warm soap and water or an alcohol wipe. This step is crucial to avoid introducing contaminants that could alter your test results. Clean your lancet pen device.
Step 3: Insert the lancet
- Separate the depth cap and lancet base by pressing the depth cap down.
- Now pull the cap and base away from each other to take off the depth cap.
- Take a new lancet needle out of its packaging and insert it into the lancet pen device.
- Make sure it is securely locked into place.
- Twist the protective cap to remove it and reveal the needle.
- Save the cap to cover the needle when you throw away the lancet.
- Replace the depth cap.
Step 4: Adjust the depth setting
Choose the appropriate depth setting on your lancet pen device. This determines how deeply the needle will puncture your skin. Begin with a shallow setting and increase the depth if necessary. The ideal depth setting may vary depending on your skin's thickness and sensitivity.
Step 5: Set the lancet for a finger prick
Hold the base and pull the plunger to set the lancet for your finger prick.
Step 6: Prepare your iGlucose Monitor and test strip.
To set your meter to measure your blood glucose before or after eating:
- To turn on your meter, press and hold the “Home” button for 3 seconds.
- An apple icon will appear—a whole apple indicates “Before Meal” and an eaten apple “After Meal”
- Use the “Home” button to select
To insert the strip into the meter, hold the dark side of the strip toward you. Put the strip straight down into the port. You should hear it click into place. After 3 seconds, you will see the words “Apply a drop of blood” on the display screen. You have 2 minutes to apply your blood sample.
Step 7: Obtain a blood sample: how to prick your finger
- Select a fingertip (preferably on the side) to prick with the lancet pen device.
- Often, the middle finger is a good choice.
- Rubbing your finger a few times and running your hand under warm water can improve blood flow.
- Also, hold your hand below your heart, so place your hand on a surface that is lower than your heart.
These steps will make it easier to get a good drop.
Place the lancet pen firmly against the side of your fingertip and press to activate the lancet. The lancet pen will click, and you should feel a quick, small prick.
Step 8: Test your blood.
To release a drip of blood gently squeeze your fingertip. Wipe away the first blood drop and squeeze toward your fingertip to produce another sample for testing. Touch your drop of blood to the edge of the test strip's “Sample Port,” so it fills the port. Avoid touching the test strip directly with your fingertip.
Wipe away any remaining blood on your finger while you wait for your results.
Step 9: Read your results
After 5 seconds, your iGlucose meter will read your blood glucose level. Your meter will automatically record and store your reading.
Step 10: Wash up
Put pressure on the site with a clean cotton ball or gauze.
Throw away your used lancet needle in a sharps container, and place your test strip in a plastic bag before putting it in your garbage.
See the support article entitled Safe Disposal of Your Used Lancets and Strips for more information.
Replace the protective cap on the lancet pen device and store it safely.
Clean your device with an alcohol wipe.
Clean your hands and the puncture site with soap and water or an alcohol wipe.