B.

OTHER POSSIBLE TEST

B.1 Glucose-fasting blood sugar (FBS) (blood)

Reference Values

Adult: Serum and Plasma: 70-110 mg/dl. Whole Blood: 60-100 mg/dl. Panic

Value: less than 40 mg/dl and greater than 700 mg/dl.

Child: Newborn: 30-80 mg/dl. Child: 60-100 mg/dl.

Elderly: 70-120 mg/dl.

Description

Glucose is formed from dietary carbohydrates and is stored as glycogen in the

liver and skeletal muscles. Insulin and glucagon, two hormones from the pancreas, affect
the blood glucose level. Insulin is needed for cellular membrane permeability to glucose
and for transportation of glucose into the cell. Without insulin, glucose cannot enter the
cell. Glucagon stimulates glycogenolysis (conversion of stored glycogen to glucose) in
the liver.

A decreased blood sugar level (hypoglycemia) result from inadequate food intake
or too much insulin. When elevated sugar (hyperglycemia) occurs, there is not enough
insulin; this condition is known as diabetes mellitus. A fasting blood sugar level greater
than 125 mg/dl usually indicates diabetes, and to confirm the diagnosis when the blood
sugar is borderline or slightly elevated, a fasting (postprandial) blood sugar and/or
glucose tolerance test may be ordered.

Dextrostix test is a rapid simple, semi quantitative test for distinguishing

hypoglycemia from hyperglycemia. The results are compared to a color chart with values

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between 40 and 240 mg/dl. This is a useful test in emergency situations. Chemstrip bG is
the preferred method for blood sugar by finger stick.

Purpose

• To confirm a diagnosis of prediabetic state or diabetic mellitus.

• To monitor blood glucose levels for diabetic clients taking an antidiabetic agent
(insulin or oral hypoglycemic drug).

B.2 Glucose-postprandial (fasting blood sugar) (blood)

Reference Values

Adult: Serum or plasma: lrss than 140 mg/dl/2 h. blood: less than 120 mg/dl/2 h.

Elderly: Serum: less than 160 mg/dl/2 h. blood: less than 140 mg/dl/2 h.

Child: less than 120 mg/dl/2 h.

Description

A 2-hour PPBS or fasting sugar test is usually done to determine the patient’s
response to a high carbohydrate intake 2 hours after a meal (breakfast or lunch). This test
is a screening test for diabetes, normally ordered if the fasting blood sugar was high
normal or slightly elevated. A serum glucose greater than 140 mg/dl or blood glucose
greater than 120 mg/dl is abnormal, and further tests maybe needed.

Purpose

• See glucose-Fasting Blood Sugar.

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B.3 Glucose self-monitoring (self-testing) devices

Reference Values

Adult: blood: 60-110 mg/dl, 3.3-6.1 umlo/I (SI units).

Child: Blood: 50-85 mg/dl, 2.7-4.7 umol/I (SI units).

Urine: Negative.

Description

To control blood glucose levels, glucose monitoring devices are available for
checking blood glucose levels. The glucose monitoring devices can be used in institutions
such as hospitals and clients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or Type 1
and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or Type II can use it in their
homes. The test takes about 2 minutes, and tests results are considered reliable.

The new generation of meters have greatly improve accuracy and precision over
earlier models. They are less dependent on operator skill, and most have eliminated the
need for timing, blotting, and wiping the strip. Though the manufacturers may not agree,
most of the newer meters still are not as laboratory test when the glucose levels are less
than 50 0r 60, or greater than 450-500 mg/dl. It varies with the manufacturer.

The use of reagent strips for urine testing, (for example, Clinistix, diastix, Tes-
Tape, and Cliniest) are less desirable for glucose accuracy than the self-monitoring
metered devices. Clients who are unable to perform a finger stick and use the meter
machine should use the urine testing method to evaluate blood glucose levels.

Purpose

• To check the blood glucose level.

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