Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
Which laboratory test is the best predictor of blood glucose control over the previous few months?
A. Fasting blood glucose
Fasting blood glucose measures the blood sugar level after an individual has not eaten for at least 8 hours. While it provides a snapshot of current blood glucose levels, it does not reflect long-term blood glucose control.
B. Urinalysis
Urinalysis can detect the presence of glucose or ketones in the urine, which can indicate poor blood glucose control. However, it does not provide a direct measure of blood glucose levels over time and is not the best predictor of long-term control.
C. Feasting (postprandial) blood glucose
Feasting (postprandial) blood glucose measures blood sugar levels after eating. It can indicate how well the body manages glucose after a meal but does not provide information about overall blood glucose control over the previous few months.
D. Hemoglobin A1C
Hemoglobin A1C, also known as HbA1c, measures the percentage of glycated hemoglobin in the blood. It reflects the average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months. This test is considered the best predictor of long-term blood glucose control because it provides a comprehensive view of blood sugar management over an extended period. The normal range for HbA1c is typically below 5.7% for individuals without diabetes.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Ati pathophisiology proctored exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Fasting blood glucose measures the blood sugar level after an individual has not eaten for at least 8 hours. While it provides a snapshot of current blood glucose levels, it does not reflect long-term blood glucose control.
Choice B reason: Urinalysis can detect the presence of glucose or ketones in the urine, which can indicate poor blood glucose control. However, it does not provide a direct measure of blood glucose levels over time and is not the best predictor of long-term control.
Choice C reason: Feasting (postprandial) blood glucose measures blood sugar levels after eating. It can indicate how well the body manages glucose after a meal but does not provide information about overall blood glucose control over the previous few months.
Choice D reason: Hemoglobin A1C, also known as HbA1c, measures the percentage of glycated hemoglobin in the blood. It reflects the average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months. This test is considered the best predictor of long-term blood glucose control because it provides a comprehensive view of blood sugar management over an extended period. The normal range for HbA1c is typically below 5.7% for individuals without diabetes.
Similar Questions
Aron has been prescribed Lispro and among other medication. Such drugs act:
A. To reduce insulin resistance
Lispro (Insulin lispro) does not primarily act to reduce insulin resistance. Instead, it is a rapid-acting insulin analog used to manage blood glucose levels in people with diabetes.
B. To prevent the formation of glucose.
Lispro does not prevent the formation of glucose. Its main function is to help control blood sugar levels by replacing the insulin that the body is not producing enough of.
C. To decrease the body's need for glucose in body cells.
Lispro does not decrease the body's need for glucose in body cells. Instead, it helps facilitate the uptake of glucose into cells by mimicking the action of natural insulin.
D. As an insulin replacement.
Lispro acts as an insulin replacement. It is a fast-acting insulin analog that helps control blood sugar levels by mimicking the body's natural insulin, which is essential for the metabolism of glucose.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Lispro (Insulin lispro) does not primarily act to reduce insulin resistance. Instead, it is a rapid-acting insulin analog used to manage blood glucose levels in people with diabetes.
Choice B reason: Lispro does not prevent the formation of glucose. Its main function is to help control blood sugar levels by replacing the insulin that the body is not producing enough of.
Choice C reason: Lispro does not decrease the body's need for glucose in body cells. Instead, it helps facilitate the uptake of glucose into cells by mimicking the action of natural insulin.
Choice D reason: Lispro acts as an insulin replacement. It is a fast-acting insulin analog that helps control blood sugar levels by mimicking the body's natural insulin, which is essential for the metabolism of glucose.
Neuropathy is nerve degeneration that results in delayed nerve conduction and impaired sensory function due to:
A. Thickening, sclerosis, obstruction, and ischemia of the vessels that supply nerve fibers.
Neuropathy, particularly diabetic neuropathy, is often caused by the thickening, sclerosis (hardening), obstruction, and ischemia (reduced blood flow) of the small blood vessels that supply the nerves (vasa nervorum). This can lead to nerve degeneration, delayed nerve conduction, and impaired sensory function. Over time, high blood glucose levels can damage these small blood vessels, leading to neuropathy.
B. Hyperglycemia
While hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) is a major factor in the development of diabetic neuropathy, it is the resulting damage to the blood vessels supplying the nerves that directly causes the nerve degeneration and delayed conduction.
C. Thickening of blood.
Thickening of blood is not a direct cause of neuropathy. Neuropathy is more directly related to the damage and obstruction of the small blood vessels that supply the nerves.
D. Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels) does not cause neuropathy. In fact, the acute effects of hypoglycemia are typically neurological symptoms such as confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness. Chronic nerve damage, as seen in neuropathy, is usually due to prolonged hyperglycemia and its effects on blood vessels.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Neuropathy, particularly diabetic neuropathy, is often caused by the thickening, sclerosis (hardening), obstruction, and ischemia (reduced blood flow) of the small blood vessels that supply the nerves (vasa nervorum). This can lead to nerve degeneration, delayed nerve conduction, and impaired sensory function. Over time, high blood glucose levels can damage these small blood vessels, leading to neuropathy.
Choice B reason: While hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) is a major factor in the development of diabetic neuropathy, it is the resulting damage to the blood vessels supplying the nerves that directly causes the nerve degeneration and delayed conduction.
Choice C reason: Thickening of blood is not a direct cause of neuropathy. Neuropathy is more directly related to the damage and obstruction of the small blood vessels that supply the nerves.
Choice D reason: Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels) does not cause neuropathy. In fact, the acute effects of hypoglycemia are typically neurological symptoms such as confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness. Chronic nerve damage, as seen in neuropathy, is usually due to prolonged hyperglycemia and its effects on blood vessels.
Neuropathies are a potential complication of diabetes. Why do these occur?
A. Thickening and ischemia of the vessels that supply the nerve fibers.
Neuropathies occur due to the thickening, sclerosis, obstruction, and ischemia of the small blood vessels that supply the nerves (vasa nervorum). Chronic hyperglycemia leads to damage of these blood vessels, reducing blood flow and oxygen supply to the nerves. This ischemia results in nerve degeneration, delayed nerve conduction, and impaired sensory function, which are characteristic of diabetic neuropathy.
B. Infection in the nerves.
Infection in the nerves is not a primary cause of diabetic neuropathy. While infections can affect the nerves, the neuropathy associated with diabetes is primarily due to vascular complications and chronic hyperglycemia, not infections.
C. Excessive glucose exposure to the brain and spinal cord.
Excessive glucose exposure to the brain and spinal cord is not directly related to neuropathy. The neuropathic complications in diabetes are due to the damage of peripheral nerves caused by hyperglycemia and vascular insufficiency, rather than glucose affecting the central nervous system.
D. Inability to provide continuous glucose to the brain and spinal cord.
Inability to provide continuous glucose to the brain and spinal cord is not a cause of neuropathy. The brain and spinal cord typically have a continuous supply of glucose. Neuropathy in diabetes results from the damage to the peripheral nerves due to prolonged high blood glucose levels and subsequent vascular complications.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Neuropathies occur due to the thickening, sclerosis, obstruction, and ischemia of the small blood vessels that supply the nerves (vasa nervorum). Chronic hyperglycemia leads to damage of these blood vessels, reducing blood flow and oxygen supply to the nerves. This ischemia results in nerve degeneration, delayed nerve conduction, and impaired sensory function, which are characteristic of diabetic neuropathy.
Choice B reason: Infection in the nerves is not a primary cause of diabetic neuropathy. While infections can affect the nerves, the neuropathy associated with diabetes is primarily due to vascular complications and chronic hyperglycemia, not infections.
Choice C reason: Excessive glucose exposure to the brain and spinal cord is not directly related to neuropathy. The neuropathic complications in diabetes are due to the damage of peripheral nerves caused by hyperglycemia and vascular insufficiency, rather than glucose affecting the central nervous system.
Choice D reason: Inability to provide continuous glucose to the brain and spinal cord is not a cause of neuropathy. The brain and spinal cord typically have a continuous supply of glucose. Neuropathy in diabetes results from the damage to the peripheral nerves due to prolonged high blood glucose levels and subsequent vascular complications.