Final answer:
Upon noticing a fasting blood glucose of 200 mg/dL, the medical assistant should report this finding to a healthcare provider for further evaluation and potential confirmation of diabetes mellitus through additional testing, such as a glucose tolerance test. This high reading indicates hyperglycemia, which requires medical intervention and management.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a medical assistant notices a fasting blood glucose of 200 mg/dL, it suggests the presence of hyperglycemia which is a condition of abnormally high blood sugar levels. According to diabetes guidelines, a fasting blood glucose level below 100 mg/dL is normal, while a level between 100 and 125 mg/dL is considered pre-diabetes. A level higher than 125 mg/dL generally results in a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. A glucose tolerance test (GTT) may be employed to confirm the diagnosis in cases where the fasting glucose is high or in borderline cases. This involves measuring blood glucose at intervals after consuming a glucose-rich drink. In healthy individuals, blood glucose should return to normal levels within 2.5 hours after consumption, while in diabetic patients, levels remain high as their ability to tolerate glucose is impaired.
The action the medical assistant should take upon observing a fasting glucose level of 200 mg/dL is to report the result to the supervising healthcare provider for further assessment. The healthcare provider may order additional tests, such as a GTT, and provide a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan, which could include lifestyle modification recommendations, medication, or insulin therapy for the management of diabetes. Monitoring and managing blood sugar levels are crucial for individuals with Type 2 diabetes, where the body's cells become resistant to insulin, leading to elevated blood glucose levels.