Final answer:
A phlebotomist must confirm the patient's fasting status before proceeding with a glucose tolerance test. If the patient has eaten, the test may need to be rescheduled, as food intake can affect the results used to diagnose conditions like diabetes mellitus.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a phlebotomist notices an empty breakfast plate at the bedside, it is crucial to confirm that the patient has fasted as required for an accurate glucose tolerance test (GTT). Since GTT requires fasting and any intake of food could impact the results, the phlebotomist should inquire about the patient's last food intake and report this to the healthcare provider before proceeding. If the patient did consume food, the test may need to be rescheduled to ensure its accuracy.
Glucose tolerance tests are essential in diagnosing conditions such as diabetes mellitus. Patients are given a glucose-rich drink and blood glucose levels are measured at intervals to see how well the body processes glucose. Normally, blood glucose should return to normal within 2 to 2.5 hours after consumption, but in diabetes patients, the levels remain elevated. If the GTT is positive, indicating diabetes mellitus, further tests like Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT) or Glucagon Tolerance Test (GuTT) may be required to determine the type of diabetes.