  Diabetic clients, especially recently diagnosed diabetics, should keep an accurate record of food intake, physical activity, blood glucose measurements, and insulin doses to learn how to control their blood glucose. Self-monitoring such as this can help diabetics learn how specific foods and exercise influences their blood glucose levels.
To test blood glucose, the diabetic pricks a finger to get a blood sample and transfers the blood to a strip. A computerized meter measures the blood glucose concentration.
The newly diagnosed diabetic should perform finger pricks at least seven times a day: before each meal, two hours after each meal, and at bedtime. Once the diabetic is able to adhere to a consistent diet and activity pattern, glucose levels can be tested less often. But if eating or activity pattern changes, blood glucose needs to be monitored more often.
Diabetics can also monitor ketone levels in the urine with test strips. This is recommended for diabetics who have consistently high blood glucose, because they are at risk for ketosis, which can increase risk for coma.
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