To determine a patient’s compliance with a prescribed diabetes regimen, which laboratory value would you review?

To determine a patient’s compliance with a prescribed diabetes regimen, which laboratory value would you review?

• A. Fasting glucose level
• B. Oral glucose tolerance test results
• C. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA1c) level
• D. Fingerstick glucose findings for 24 hours

Answer: (C)

HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over roughly two to three months, so it shows how well the diabetes regimen has been working over time and how closely the patient has been following it. Fasting glucose is just a single-point snapshot, the oral glucose tolerance test is mainly diagnostic and not used for ongoing monitoring, and fingerstick readings over 24 hours show daily fluctuations but don’t capture long-term adherence. For assessing compliance with the regimen, HbA1c is the best indicator.

HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over roughly two to three months, so it shows how well the diabetes regimen has been working over time and how closely the patient has been following it. Fasting glucose is just a single-point snapshot, the oral glucose tolerance test is mainly diagnostic and not used for ongoing monitoring, and fingerstick readings over 24 hours show daily fluctuations but don’t capture long-term adherence. For assessing compliance with the regimen, HbA1c is the best indicator.