Final answer:
The correct information to attribute to Glucovance is that it is a combination of glyburide and metformin for the management of type 2 diabetes. It simplifies treatment by merging two medications into one pill, and it is not an indicator of the severity of the diabetes or a replacement for all other antidiabetic agents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should inform the patient that Glucovance contains a combination of glyburide and metformin. This medication is used to improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes when treatment with both glyburide and metformin is appropriate. It's important to emphasize that the change to Glucovance does not necessarily mean the diabetes is improving or worsening, but rather it is a matter of treatment convenience and effectiveness in managing the diabetes with a combination therapy.
Patients need to be aware of the signs of hypoglycemia, which can be a side effect of sulfonylurea drugs like glyburide, and they should know how to respond if symptoms occur. It's also critical to understand that individual response to diabetes medications can vary based on genetic differences, a concept central to the field of pharmacogenomics. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise are essential components of managing type 2 diabetes alongside medication.