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While you are in the hospital, your doctor will likely order insulin injections to keep your blood sugar in a normal range. It is important to have your blood sugar between 110 and 180. If your blood sugar is too high, you will not heal as well.
To make sure your blood sugar is in control, your blood sugar will be tested before every meal and at bedtime.
Due to irregular eating, tests, and procedures, oral antidiabetics are usually stopped while you are in the hospital. Instead, insulin is often used to manage blood sugar. Most patients need long-acting insulin once a day and short-acting insulin with each meal.
Please do not eat your meal until after your blood sugar is checked by the nursing staff.
Please do not let your family or friends eat food from your meal tray. Also, please let us know if you have eaten food that was brought to you by your family or friends. The nursing staff will need to know the amount of food you’ve eaten for your insulin dose.
Let the nurse know if you feel shaky, dizzy or sweaty. This can be a sign of low blood sugar. The nurse will check your blood sugar and give you juice or milk if the blood sugar is less than 70. If you are not allowed to eat, you may be given dextrose (sugar solution) through your IV.
When you go home: Your doctor will decide if you need insulin or other medications for your blood sugar when you go home. You may need to check your blood sugar at home. If you do need medication and need to check your blood sugar, the nurse will teach you how to do this before you leave. The nurse will also help to make sure you have the right supplies.