Question

The nurse is teaching the client about home blood glucose monitoring. Which ofthe following blood glucose measurements indicates hypoglycemia?

A. 59 mg/dL (3.3 mmol/L).
B. 75 mg/dL (4.2 mmol/L).
C. 108 mg/dL (6 mmol/L).
D. 119 mg/dL (6.6 mmol/L).

Answer 1

The blood glucose measurement that indicates hypoglycemia is A. 59 mg/dL (3.3 mmol/L), as it falls below the normal fasting blood glucose level range of 60-90 mg/dL. The correct option is B .

Step-by-step explanation:

The question concerns the identification of hypoglycemia based on blood glucose measurements. When discussing home blood glucose monitoring, it's crucial to understand the normal ranges of blood glucose levels under various nutritional states to correctly identify hypoglycemia. For an individual in a fasting or post-absorptive state, which is typically 12-14 hours after a meal, the normal blood glucose level ranges are between 60-90 mg/dL. The post-prandial blood glucose level, which is after meals (1-2 hours following the first meal), should range between 100-140 mg/dL. Random blood glucose levels, measured at any time after meals, range between 100-180 mg/dL.

Based upon this information, the identification of hypoglycemia can be made. Hypoglycemia is defined as blood glucose levels that are lower than the normal fasting range. Given the options provided in the student's question:

• A. 59 mg/dL (3.3 mmol/L)
• B. 75 mg/dL (4.2 mmol/L)
• C. 108 mg/dL (6 mmol/L)
• D. 119 mg/dL (6.6 mmol/L)

Option A, which is 59 mg/dL (3.3 mmol/L), indicates a blood glucose measurement that falls below the normal fasting range, thus representing hypoglycemia. The other options, B, C, and D, do not indicate hypoglycemia as they fall within or above the normal fasting range and the normal post-prandial range.

In the context of diabetes management, maintaining blood glucose levels within the indicated normal ranges is critical. Blood glucose concentration is maintained within a controlled range through negative feedback loops involving hormones such as insulin and glucagon. When blood glucose levels rise, insulin is produced to bring the levels back down, and when levels are too low, glucagon stimulates the release of glucose to correct this imbalance.

Ultimately, understanding these values and how to respond to them is essential in managing conditions like diabetes, where monitoring blood glucose levels can help in making informed decisions about diet, medication, and other treatments.