Curing Diabetes

A random blood glucose test also can be used to diagnose diabetes. The test requires a blood sample obtained by venipuncture anytime during the day or night. The test results are normal if the level is less than 190 mg/dl within 2 hours of eating and less than 125 mg/dl 2 hours or more after eating. A random blood glucose level that’s 200 mg/dl or more and accompanied by the typical signs of diabetes (polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and unexplained weight loss) confirms a diagnosis of diabetes. A random blood glucose test is commonly used by patients with diabetes to monitor their blood glucose level. The test can also be used to confirm hypoglycemia, especially if its signs and symptoms have become blunted over the years. The patient, a family member, or other caregiver can perform a random blood glucose test with a fingers tick and a self-monitoring meter.

Nursing considerations

Send venipuncture samples to the laboratory immediately or refrigerate them to prevent altered test results.
Interpret self-monitoring and laboratory test results in light of your patient’s food intake, activity level, and emotional state during the hours immediately before the test. Always recheck unusual results or sudden deviations from the patient’s normal blood glucose pattern.
To encourage frequent self-monitoring, tell your patient that maintaining glucose levels as near to normal as possible can slow the progression of long-term microvascular complications - retinopathy and nephropathy. Periodically check your patient’s self-monitoring technique and her meter.
If your patient’s blood glucose levels remain abnormally high, she may need more frequent blood glucose measurements. If a pattern emerges, such as abnormally high blood glucose levels before dinner, changes in your patient’s daily treatment plan may be necessary.

Filed under: Diabetes Tests