In a hospital setting, do you have your patient demonstrate checking their blood glucose? Why or why not?

sure...... id ask them to check it while watching closely just to see how they do.....to reassure me that they really do know how to safely and accurately do it

Yes. I do this to ensure that the patient knows how to do it and that they understand why the need to do it, especially if they are new diabetics. I also explain when on steroids, that they need to be diligent in monitoring their sugar levels closely because those will make their levels even higher. I also go over new medications and go over do and don’t foods that will increase their levels such as carbohydrates and how to read food labels.

As a bedside RN, no - learning how to use our glucometer will most likely confuse the patient. there are many different glucometers the MD can order, the Diabetic RN Educator, IF they have the specific model, can do teach back with pt, but bedside I just have them demonstrate competency in drawing up & administering insulin(s)

Yes I do. Always

To ensure

You should have them demonstrate back to you that they know how to check their blood sugar, interpret a sliding scale and give themselves insulin via pen and dispose of the needles appropriately. Upon discharge your patient should be comfortable with these tasks in order to be able to perform them at home with no problems.

Depends, if they are capable of learning. If I have a patient that is being discharged with a glucometer and I have to teach them how to use it, I prefer to have them do it on their own glucometer because what I use may not be the same brand that the patient will be using.