SGLT-2 inhibitors are used in the treatment of diabetes. SGLT-2 stands for:

Appeared in: DSSSB 13 August 2024

Explanation

SGLT-2 correctly stands for Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2.
This transporter is a protein located in the proximal tubules of the kidneys.
It is responsible for reabsorbing approximately 90% of the glucose filtered by the glomeruli back into the blood.
SGLT-2 inhibitors block this transporter, leading to the excretion of glucose in the urine and thus lowering blood sugar levels.

Option A: The 'G' in SGLT stands for Glucose, not Galactose. While SGLT-1 can transport galactose, SGLT-2 is specific to glucose.
Option C: SGLT-2 transports simple sugar molecules (monosaccharides) like glucose, not large storage polymers like glycogen.
Option D: The 'S' in SGLT stands for Sodium. The transporter uses the sodium gradient to move glucose against its concentration gradient, hence it's a 'co-transporter'.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Full form and function of SGLT-2 in the context of diabetes management helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
SGLT-2 inhibitors (e.g., Dapagliflozin, Canagliflozin, Empagliflozin) are a key class of oral antidiabetic drugs. Nurses must understand their mechanism to educate patients on their effects and side effects.
Beyond glycemic control, these drugs offer significant cardiovascular and renal protection, reducing the risk of heart failure and slowing the progression of diabetic kidney disease.
A key nursing consideration is monitoring for side effects like genital mycotic infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and potential for dehydration or hypotension due to the diuretic effect. Patient education on hygiene and fluid intake is crucial.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the acronym 'SGLT-2' in the context of the question, which mentions diabetes and glucose.
Break down the acronym piece by piece. 'T' likely stands for Transporter. The question is about diabetes, so 'G' most likely stands for Glucose.
Consider the 'S'. In physiology, many transporters are coupled with Sodium. Therefore, 'S' likely stands for Sodium.
Combine the parts: Sodium-Glucose Transporter. The 'Co-' prefix is common for transporters that move two substances together.
Evaluate the options based on this breakdown. 'Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2' is the most logical and medically accurate choice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Full form and function of SGLT-2 in the context of diabetes management.
Stem keywords: SGLT-2 inhibitors, diabetes, SGLT-2
Lead-in keywords: stands for
Negative lead-in flag: false

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Practise the full DSSSB 13 August 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.