The nurse is caring for an 80-year-old patient with a history of type 2 diabetes and hypothyroid-ism. The physician wants to evaluate the patient's blood glucose levels and orders a fructosamine assay
Which factor best explains why the physician chose this laboratory test instead a glycosy-lated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test?
a. The patient's age
b. Type 2 diabetes
c. Hypothyroidism
d. The tests' costs
B
The fructosamine assay is a diagnostic test used to assess the degree of diabetic control of blood sugar over the preceding 2- to 3-week period. The fructosamine assay is a better tool for the older adult as it is less influenced by age. The fructosamine assay is not specific to type 1or type 2 diabetes. Its accuracy is not affected by hypothyroidism. While the fructosamine assay is simpler and cheaper than an HbA1c test, the accuracy of results for this patient takes priority.
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