The nurse explains that to monitor average blood glucose levels over time, which test should be returned to the clinic?

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Multiple Choice

The nurse explains that to monitor average blood glucose levels over time, which test should be returned to the clinic?

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is used to monitor average blood glucose over time because glucose naturally attaches to hemoglobin in red blood cells, and the amount that is attached reflects the average glucose exposure over the life of the cell—about 2 to 3 months. This makes HbA1c a long-term indicator of glycemic control, not just a snapshot. The other tests measure different things: fasting blood glucose provides a single-point snapshot, the glucose tolerance test assesses the body’s response to a glucose load for diagnosis, and the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase test checks an enzyme deficiency, not glucose control over time. Therefore, HbA1c is the best choice for monitoring average blood glucose over time.

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is used to monitor average blood glucose over time because glucose naturally attaches to hemoglobin in red blood cells, and the amount that is attached reflects the average glucose exposure over the life of the cell—about 2 to 3 months. This makes HbA1c a long-term indicator of glycemic control, not just a snapshot. The other tests measure different things: fasting blood glucose provides a single-point snapshot, the glucose tolerance test assesses the body’s response to a glucose load for diagnosis, and the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase test checks an enzyme deficiency, not glucose control over time. Therefore, HbA1c is the best choice for monitoring average blood glucose over time.

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