Question

The most indicative test for diabetes mellitus is which of the following? A. Two hour post-prandial B. Dextrostix C. Glucose tolerance test D. Hemoglobin A-1C

Short answer

The Hemoglobin A-1C test is considered the most indicative for diagnosing diabetes mellitus because it reflects the average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months, giving a better assessment of overall glucose control.

Step-by-step solution

Understand each test

A. Two-hour post-prandial: This test measures blood glucose two hours after eating a meal. It helps to determine if the body is producing enough insulin to process sugar from the meal. B. Dextrostix: This is a brand name for a reagent strip used to test blood glucose levels. It is a quick and easy method of monitoring blood sugar, mainly used by patients for self-monitoring. C. Glucose tolerance test: This test measures how well the body processes sugar. It involves fasting, drinking a glucose solution, and multiple blood tests over a few hours to see how the body responds to the sugar intake. D. Hemoglobin A-1C: A percentage of hemoglobin A-1C (or HbA1c) indicates average blood glucose levels over a period of 2-3 months. The higher the percentage, the higher the average blood glucose level.

Compare the tests

A. The two-hour post-prandial test provides a snapshot of blood glucose levels after a meal, but does not reflect overall glucose control. B. Dextrostix is useful for self-monitoring of blood glucose levels, but it also provides only a snapshot of current blood glucose levels. C. Glucose tolerance test assesses the body's ability to process sugar and is used to diagnose diabetes, but it requires multiple blood samples and takes a longer time. D. Hemoglobin A-1C not only provides an average blood glucose level over a period of months, but also is a key indicator in monitoring, diagnosing, and adjusting treatment plans for diabetes.

Determine the most indicative test

Out of all the tests mentioned, the Hemoglobin A-1C test (D) is considered the most indicative for diagnosing diabetes mellitus because it reflects the average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months, giving a better assessment of overall glucose control.