A patient has come to the physician's office after finding out that her blood glucose level was 135 mg/dL. She states that she had not eaten before the test and was told to come and see her physician. She asks the nurse if she has diabetes
What is the most accurate nursing response? a. "Having a fasting serum glucose that high certainly indicates diabetes."
b. "That test indicates that we need to per-form more tests that are specific for di-abetes."
c. "How do you feel? Do you have any other signs of diabetes?"
d. "Do you have a family history of diabetes, stroke, or heart disease? We need to know before making a diagnosis."
B
The nurse needs to answer the patient's question in a way that gives information and is not mis-leading. Although 135 mg/dL is high, a nonpathologic explanation may be found. More tests should be performed to evaluate the patient.
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