Testing blood sugar is critical for diabetics. There are several dozen different types of glucose meters available, but most work in a similar fashion. The following are some generic instructions for using a glucose meter:

1.Wash your hands with soap and water, or rub them clean with alcohol. Be sure to dry your hands well; moisture or traces of alcohol can affect your reading.

2.Touch the lancing device against your skin -- usually the fingertip -- and press a button, which releases a spring that injects the lancet. The prick will hurt less if you lance the side of your fingertip, where there are fewer nerve endings. Also, it may help to squeeze the finger you're testing first to bring blood to the surface before lancing.

3.Hold your hand down until a bead of blood forms on the finger.

4.Dab the blood onto the test strip.

5.Insert the test strip into the glucose meter and take a reading.

-Before a meal: 90 to 130 mg/dl
-After a meal: Less than 180 mg/dl

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