What it means
The level of glucoseGLOO-kohsA simple sugar that is the body's main source of energy.gluc/o sweet, sugar-ose sugarFull entry in the blood, measured from a fingerstick with a glucometer or from a blood sample in the lab. A fasting level is taken after at least 8 hours without food. A level below normal is hypoglycemiahy-poh-gly-SEE-mee-uhA blood glucose level below normal, under 70 mg/dL.hypo- belowglyc/o sugar, glucose-emia in the bloodFull entry ; a level above normal is hyperglycemiahy-per-gly-SEE-mee-uhA blood glucose level above normal, over 100 mg/dL when fasting.hyper- aboveglyc/o sugar-emia in the bloodFull entry . A fasting level of 126 mg/dL [7.0 mmol/L] or higher on two tests is in the diabetes range.
For the nurse
Check it before meals and at bedtime for clients on insulin, or as ordered, and before giving insulin. A level below 70 mg/dL needs treatment by the hypoglycemia protocol, then a recheck in 15 minutes.
In a chart
"Fingerstick glucose 58 mg/dL at 1130; 15 g fast-acting carbohydrate given, recheck 92 mg/dL."
At a glance
| Normal range | Fasting 70–100 mg/dL [3.9–5.6 mmol/L] |
|---|---|
| Critical range | Below 40 or above 400 mg/dL [below 2.2 or above 22.2 mmol/L]; each lab sets its own critical values. |
| Abbreviations | BG; FBG (fasting blood glucose); POC (point-of-care) glucose |
| Spanish | glucosa en sangre, glucemia |
| Also written | blood sugar, blood sugars, glucose level, glucose levels, plasma glucose, serum glucose, BG, BGL, blood-glucose, fingerstick glucose |
Related terms
insulin
A hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body's cells take in glucose, also made as a medicine.
hypoglycemia
A blood glucose level below normal, under 70 mg/dL.
diabetes mellitus
A long-term disease in which blood glucose stays high because the body makes too little insulin or cannot use it well.
hyperglycemia
A blood glucose level above normal, over 100 mg/dL when fasting.
glucose
A simple sugar that is the body's main source of energy.