Final answer:
The effectiveness of acarbose for treating Type 2 diabetes is best indicated by a reduction in postprandial blood glucose levels, as acarbose slows carbohydrate digestion, which helps in managing blood sugar spikes after meals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effectiveness of acarbose (Precose), an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor prescribed for a client with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, is best indicated by a reduction in postprandial blood glucose levels. Acarbose works by slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates in the small intestine, which in turn decreases the rise in blood glucose levels after meals. Unlike sulfonylureas which stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors like acarbose do not increase insulin secretion and thus do not typically lead to hypoglycemia. The best way to measure the drug’s effectiveness is by regularly monitoring blood glucose levels, specifically after meals when the elevation in glucose levels can be noticed and compared over time to see if there's been an improvement since starting the medication.