Glucose Tests

What is a healthy range for people who are fasting?

Under 100

What is a healthy range for people who are not fasting?

Under 140

What should you do if a glucometer reports HIGH or the reading is over 400

Inform the provider

Are you allowed to inform the patient of their glucose levels?

Only if your facility allows it

What should you do if the patient’s level is in the critical range?

Inform the provider

Scenario: If the patient has a low glucose reading and isn’t feeling well, what should you do?

Contact the ordering provider and follow their instructions

What can happen to a patient who is hypoglycemic for an extended period of time?

Deterioration in patient condition such as dizziness or confusion

What can happen to a patient who is hyperglycemic for an extended period of time?

Deterioration in patient condition such as dizziness, fruity breath, or coma

[GTT FOR Gestational Diabetes] What does GTT mean?

Glucose Tolerance Test

[GTT FOR Gestational Diabetes] How many days before a GTT should a patient be educated?

Minimum of 3 days

[GTT FOR Gestational Diabetes] How does a patient prepare for a GTT?

Consume 150g of carbs through balanced meals for a 3 day period

Fast for at least 8 hours during the day of the test, but no more than 16 hours

Avoid excessive exercise, alcohol, or smoking

[GTT FOR Gestational Diabetes] What is a patient allowed to do when preparing for a GTT?

Drink water but not consume food

When performing a GTT for Gestational Diabetes, what should you do after describing the procedure’s steps?

Perform a venipuncture and collect urine sample if ordered

[GTT FOR Gestational Diabetes] What are you trying to test with a venipuncture during a GTT?

Glucose levels

[GTT FOR Gestational Diabetes] When should you continue testing?

If the results are in an acceptable range

[GTT FOR Gestational Diabetes] What should you do when the glucose results are in the acceptable range?

Measure out required glucose beverage

[GTT FOR Gestational Diabetes] What is the average weight for a glucose beverage when performing a GTT for Gestational Diabetes

75 g

[GTT FOR Gestational Diabetes] How long should a patient take to drink the beverage?

Within 5 minutes

[GTT FOR Gestational Diabetes] What should you do when the patient is done drinking the glucose beverage?

Record the current time

[GTT FOR Gestational Diabetes] After recording the time, what should you do when the time of the next test is determined?

Remind patient they cannot have anything but water

Repeat collections at exactly the selected collection time

[GTT FOR Gestational Diabetes] What should you do when you have repeated the collection?

Transport collection ASAP to the lab until every sample has been collected

Gestational Diabetes

High blood sugar developed during pregnancy caused by placental hormones blocking insulin

Post-Prandial Glucose Tolerance Test

Type of Glucose Tolerance Test that is performed 2 hours after the patient has eaten a meal used simply to measure glucose levels after eating

Is a Post-Prandial GTT only for pregnant women?

No, it is a test used for anybody but is a key part in Gestational Diabetes diagnosis

Do you need to fast before a Post-Prandial test?

Fasting is not required for this test

[GTT 2 hour post-prandial] What should you have your patient do after eating?

Record time meal is finished

Lactose Tolerance Test

Lactose replaces glucose in tolerance test

What might some providers require happens before a Lactose Tolerance Test?

GTT 24 hours before — with the results of that test being in range