Question

Why is it important to note the fasting state (or time of the last food intake) of the patient?

a. It helps determine the patient's age.
b. It ensures the patient is properly hydrated.
c. It affects blood glucose levels and test accuracy.
d. It helps diagnose unrelated medical conditions.

Answer 1

Noting the fasting state is important because it affects blood glucose levels and test accuracy for diagnosing conditions like diabetes. Option c.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fasting state, or time of the last food intake, is important to note because it affects blood glucose levels and test accuracy. When a patient is fasting, their blood glucose levels are lower, providing a baseline measurement for diagnosing conditions like diabetes. Additionally, fasting before certain medical tests, like the glucose tolerance test, helps assess the patient's ability to tolerate glucose and is used to diagnose conditions such as diabetes mellitus.

The importance of noting the fasting state, or time of the last food intake, of a patient is primarily because it affects blood glucose levels and the accuracy of laboratory tests. Fasting influences the postabsorptive metabolic state which alters blood glucose levels and consequently the levels of insulin and glucagon. When testing for conditions such as diabetes mellitus, fasting is required to ensure that the blood glucose level measurement and subsequent tests, such as the glucose tolerance test, reflect the body's natural ability to regulate glucose.