Nursing roles in Patient assessment and documentation
Nursing roles in Patient assessment and documentation ( 6 Questions)
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.
Which value should the nurse recognize as an indicator of poor glycemic control?
This is a borderline value that may indicate prediabetes, but not necessarily poor glycemic control. A fasting blood glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate occasions is diagnostic of diabetes.
Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reflects the average blood glucose level over the past two to three months. A normal HbA1c level is less than 5.7%, while a level above 6.5% indicates diabetes. A level of 8% or higher indicates poor glycemic control and increased risk of complications.
This is an elevated value that may indicate hyperglycemia, but not necessarily poor glycemic control. A random blood glucose of 200 mg/dL or higher with symptoms of diabetes is diagnostic of diabetes.
This is a normal finding that indicates the absence of ketones in the urine. Ketones are produced when the body breaks down fat for energy due to insufficient insulin. The presence of ketones in the urine indicates diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication of diabetes.
Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 8%
Rationale: Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reflects the average blood glucose level over the past two to three months. A normal HbA1c level is less than 5.7%, while a level above 6.5% indicates diabetes. A level of 8% or higher indicates poor glycemic control and increased risk of complications.
Incorrect options:
A) Fasting blood glucose of 126 mg/dL - This is a borderline value that may indicate prediabetes, but not necessarily poor glycemic control. A fasting blood glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate occasions is diagnostic of diabetes.
C) Random blood glucose of 180 mg/dL - This is an elevated value that may indicate hyperglycemia, but not necessarily poor glycemic control. A random blood glucose of 200 mg/dL or higher with symptoms of diabetes is diagnostic of diabetes.
D) Urine ketones of negative - This is a normal finding that indicates the absence of ketones in the urine. Ketones are produced when the body breaks down fat for energy due to insufficient insulin. The presence of ketones in the urine indicates diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication of diabetes.