Reduction of Risk Potential Q 8

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A female client tells nurse Nikki that she has been working hard for the last 3 months to control her type 2 diabetes mellitus with diet and exercise. To determine the effectiveness of the client’s efforts, the nurse should check:

  

     A. Urine glucose level.

     B. Fasting blood glucose level.

     C. Serum fructosamine level.

     D. Glycosylated hemoglobin level.

    

    

Correct Answer: D. Glycosylated hemoglobin level.

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Because some of the glucose in the bloodstream attaches to some of the hemoglobin and stays attached during the 120-day lifespan of red blood cells, glycosylated hemoglobin levels provide information about blood glucose levels during the previous 3 months.

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Option A: Urine glucose levels only show the glucose levels in the urine at that specific time.

Option B: Fasting blood glucose only gives information about glucose levels at the point in time when they were obtained.

Option C: Serum fructosamine levels provide information about blood glucose control over the past 2 to 3 weeks.

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