Final answer:
Critical results from a point of care glucose test warrant immediate notification of the healthcare provider. Additional tests, such as a glucose tolerance test and hemoglobin A1c, may be required. Treatment can include medication, insulin, diet, and lifestyle changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a phlebotomist (phleb) performs a point of care glucose test and the result is in the critical range, immediate action is required. The most appropriate action would be to report the critical results to the patient's healthcare provider as soon as possible for urgent evaluation and management. Given that blood glucose levels are maintained normally between 70 to 110 mg/dL, a critical range result suggests a significant deviation, reflecting a potential medical emergency such as severe hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, which could be life-threatening.
If the patient had consumed food within 1.5 hours and had a normal blood glucose level thereafter, it suggests that their body can regulate blood sugar levels effectively following food intake. However, if during a glucose tolerance test they show a significant and prolonged increase in blood glucose levels without returning to normal within 2.5 hours post-glucose intake, this points to glucose intolerance, which is a characteristic of diabetes mellitus.
Therefore, additional tests recommended for a patient with critical range glucose test results may include a glucose tolerance test (GTT), hemoglobin A1c testing for long-term glucose control, and perhaps checks for ketones, especially if type 1 diabetes is suspected. Based on the results of these tests, the treating physician can determine the appropriate treatment, which may include medications, insulin therapy, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes to manage the patient's blood glucose levels.