All procedures
GMC #08/Diagnostic procedures taught Y1 & Y2
Capillary blood glucose
Measure the concentration of glucose in the blood at the bedside; record and interpret the result.
Target · Perform independently0% ready
Do it yourself on a patient, with support available if you need it — the GMC’s highest new-grad level (“indirect supervision”).
Overview
A near-patient test that must be part of the workup of every reduced-consciousness or acutely unwell patient — “don’t ever forget glucose”.
Key numbers
- Hypoglycaemia = blood glucose <4.0 mmol/L (“four is the floor”)JBDS
- Conscious/able to swallow: 15–20 g fast-acting carbohydrate, recheck at 15 min; if unable: IM glucagon or IV 10% glucoseJBDS hypoglycaemia
Indications
- Diabetes monitoring
- Reduced consciousness / collapse / seizure
- Any acutely unwell patient
Equipment
Glucometer + in-date, calibrated test stripsSingle-use lancetAlcohol wipe/gauze, sharps bin
Step by step
Prepare
- 1Check the meter is calibrated and the strips are in date
- 2Wash the patient’s hands (warm water improves flow); do not use alcohol on the sample finger (falsely alters result)
Measure
- 1Lance the side of a fingertip (less painful, more capillaries)
- 2Apply a hanging drop to the strip; read the value
- 3Dispose of the lancet in the sharps bin
Interpret
- 1Hypoglycaemia <4.0 mmol/L (“four is the floor”) → treat immediately
- 2Confirm with a lab glucose if the result doesn’t fit the picture
Complications
- Infection, inaccurate reading (wet/contaminated finger, out-of-date strips)
OSCE tips
- Check strips in date & calibrated — an easy safety mark.
- Side of the finger, not the pulp.
- Know hypo management (“15 g fast carbs, recheck at 15 min”; IV glucose/IM glucagon if unable to swallow).
Watch
Read
Sources & credits
Authored to UK finals standard and verified against UK guidance (JBDS · JBDS hypoglycaemia) and Geeky Medics OSCE guides . Southampton teaching materials © University of Southampton. Always follow current local policy.