Normal fasting glucose level is?

NORCET 3 - 2022 (Shift-2)

Applied Physiology

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET 3 - 2022 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The correct option is 80-110 mg/dL, which is the closest to the accepted normal range among the choices provided.
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), a normal fasting plasma glucose level is strictly less than 100 mg/dL.
Values between 100 and 125 mg/dL are classified as Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG), also known as prediabetes.
Values of 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate occasions are diagnostic of diabetes mellitus.
Therefore, while 80-110 mg/dL includes a small portion of the prediabetic range, it is the best available answer, as other options are significantly higher.

Option A: This range (120-140 mg/dL) falls within the prediabetes (100-125 mg/dL) and diabetes (≥126 mg/dL) categories. It is not a normal fasting level.
Option B: This range (80-120 mg/dL) is a close distractor but is less accurate because it includes a significant portion of the prediabetes range (100-120 mg/dL).
Option C: This range (140-200 mg/dL) is clearly indicative of hyperglycemia and falls within the diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus.

Visual 1: Chart - A color-coded chart illustrating the fasting blood glucose ranges for 'Normal' (green, <100 mg/dL), 'Prediabetes' (yellow, 100-125 mg/dL), and 'Diabetes' (red, ≥126 mg/dL). This provides a quick visual reference for the diagnostic cutoffs.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Normal range for fasting blood glucose helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses play a critical role in educating patients on the importance of fasting for at least 8 hours before a blood glucose test to ensure an accurate result.
Identifying patients in the prediabetes range (100-125 mg/dL) is crucial. It provides a window of opportunity for nurses to implement lifestyle modification education (diet, exercise) to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
What if the patient reports drinking a small amount of black coffee before the test? The nurse should document this and inform the provider, as caffeine can sometimes affect blood glucose levels. The provider may decide to proceed with the test but interpret the results with caution or reschedule it.

How to Approach the Question

First, recall the standard medical definition for a normal fasting blood glucose level. The key number to remember is the upper limit of normal, which is 100 mg/dL.
Next, evaluate each option against this standard.
Option A (120-140 mg/dl) and Option C (140-200 mg/dl) are both significantly above 100 mg/dL and fall into the prediabetes or diabetes range. Eliminate them.
Option B (80-120 mg/dl) and Option D (80-110 mg/dl) are closer. Compare them.
Recognize that any value from 100-125 mg/dL is prediabetes. Option B includes more of this prediabetic range (up to 120) than Option D (up to 110).
Select Option D as the 'best' fit, as it is the tightest range that most closely represents the normal values, even if it slightly exceeds the strict cutoff of 99 mg/dL.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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