Question

A woman with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes has been ordered a hemoglobin a1c test for the first time by her primary care provider. the woman states, "i don't see why you want to test my blood cells when its sugar that's the problem." what aspect of physiology will underlie the care provider's response to the client?

a. insulin is a glucose receptor agonist on the hemoglobin molecule, and high glucose suggests low insulin levels.
b. the high metabolic needs of red cells and their affinity for free glucose indicate the amount of glucose that has been available over 6 to 12 weeks.
c. hemoglobin synthesis by the bone marrow is inversely proportionate to blood glucose levels, with low a1c indicating hyperglycemia.
d. the amount of glucose attached to a1c cells reflects the average blood glucose levels over the life of the cell.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option D.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Hemoglobin A1C test is used to measure the percentage of hemoglobin that is glycated or coated with sugar. Hemoglobin is a protein that takes the oxygen, present in RBC.

Glucose in RBCs is not depended on insulin, the more the glucose attaches to the hemoglobin, higher the glucose level will be and the higher A1C measure will get, which indicates the poor diabetic control.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.

Answer 2

The answer would be: d. the amount of glucose attached to a1c cells reflects the average blood glucose levels over the life of the cell.
Glucose could cause glycosylation to haemoglobin which changes them into haemoglobin A1C. The rate is influenced by the concentration of glucose, makes Hb A1C test reflect the long-term blood glucose concentration. Normal red blood cells ages would be 100-120 days so it could give an approximation of glucose level up to 16 weeks before the test.