There are slight differences in the way the dose guides of different pumps work but, in principle, following settings are set for different times of the day:
The target blood sugar
The estimated duration of action of rapid-acting insulin
The insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio (ICR) i.e., the amount of carbohydrates offset by 1 unit of rapid-acting insulin
The insulin sensitivity factor (ISF) i.e., the amount by which 1 unit of rapid-acting insulin lowers the blood sugar level
When the pump is used with an integrated blood glucose meter, the measured blood sugar is conveyed to the dose guide. A person inputs the carbohydrate amount of the meal into the dose guide and receives a dose suggestion from the guide, which they either accept or adjust based on their experience in varying situations. For instance, if one has planned to engage in physical activity after the meal, it would be prudent to reduce the suggested dose.