61.2k views
4 votes
The glycosylated hemoglobin of a 40-year-old client with diabetes mellitus is 2.5%. The nurse understands that:

The client can have a higher-calorie diet.
The client has good control of her diabetes.
The client requires adjustment in her insulin dose.
The client has poor control of her diabetes.

User Yonia
by
7.8k points

1 Answer

1 vote

Final answer:

A glycosylated hemoglobin level of 2.5% in a diabetic patient is uncommonly low, and does not typically indicate good diabetic control, as levels approaching normal (less than 7%) are preferred for managing complications. Adjustment of treatment usually occurs with high levels, whereas a low level like this requires further medical evaluation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The glycosylated hemoglobin (Hemoglobin A1c) level is a crucial indicator of long-term glycemic control in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Considering a normal Hemoglobin A1c level is less than 7%, and that levels above 9% reflect poor control, a client with a glycosylated hemoglobin of 2.5% is exceptionally low and not typical for individuals with diabetes. In fact, such a low percentage is unusual and may warrant further investigation for other medical issues. Generally, diabetics who maintain their Hemoglobin A1c levels close to 7% have a significantly better chance of delaying or preventing complications such as damage to eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

Tight control of diabetes, reflected by Hemoglobin A1c levels approaching the normal range, may allow for a more flexible diet, but the current scenario suggests the client's situation is unusual and might not indicate good glycemic control, as levels that are too low can also be concerning.

Maintaining blood glucose control is essential for diabetes management, and if the Hemoglobin A1c level were high, it would typically imply an adjustment in treatment, such as changes to diet, increased exercise, or a modification in medication, like insulin dosing. However, given the unexpectedly low Hemoglobin A1c level reported, it would not be appropriate to advise the client they have good control of their diabetes without further medical consultation.

User AutomaticStatic
by
7.9k points