Question

The patient is scheduled for a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test in 5 days and is told to arrive at the lab at 8:30 am. Which instruction should the nurse give?

a) Fast overnight before the test
b) Refrain from water intake before the test
c) Have a heavy breakfast before the test
d) Skip the morning dose of insulin

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the patient to fast overnight before the 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test to ensure accurate results.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should give the instruction to fast overnight before the test. A glucose tolerance test measures the body's ability to process glucose and detect diabetes. Fasting overnight helps ensure accurate measurements of blood glucose levels, as eating or drinking can affect the results. By fasting, the patient will have an empty stomach, allowing for accurate assessment of glucose tolerance.