An older patient being treated for pneumonia has signs of metabolic syndrome but denies the presence of diabetes. Serum glucose is 220 mg/dL, and the hemoglobin A_1C is 5%. What can be inferred from these findings?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

1. The patient would not require insulin at home. If treatment became necessary, oral agents are initiated in the patient with type 2 diabetes. 2. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is not usually diagnosed in older patients. 3. High glucose would be treated with sliding scale insulin to prevent or reduce short-term complications of hyperglycemia. As the infection is treated, the nurse would expect glucose to return to normal. 4. Though the serum glucose is elevated, the hemoglobin A_1C is normal, meaning the blood glucose has been normal over approximately the past 3 months. The patient does not have diabetes but is at high risk for the development of type 2 diabetes.

An Older Patient Being Treated for Pneumonia Has Signs of Metabolic