Final answer:
A medical assistant should start the timer for a glucose tolerance test right after the patient has ingested the oral glucose solution, following a fasting period and adherence to a specific diet.
Step-by-step explanation:
When conducting a glucose tolerance test (GTT) for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, a medical assistant should start the timer immediately after the patient consumes the oral glucose solution. Typically, this solution consists of 50-60 grams of glucose dissolved in 300 ml of water. It is essential that prior to this, the patient adheres to a carbohydrate-rich diet for three days and then fasts for 12-14 hours. The blood glucose level is initially measured in the fasting state, and then the timer is started post-ingestion to track blood glucose at regular intervals, typically every 30 minutes.
The patient's ability to tolerate glucose is assessed by analyzing the measured blood glucose levels and comparing them against known standards for normal and diabetic responses.During a glucose tolerance test (GTT), a medical assistant would start the timer as soon as the patient finishes drinking the glucose solution. The patient is required to fast for 12 to 24 hours before the test, and then they are given a sugary drink. The timer is started to measure the patient's blood glucose levels at specific time intervals after consuming the glucose solution.