NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)Collection RoutineHard
A phlebotomy technician is preparing to collect a 2-hour postprandial glucose specimen. When should the technician instruct the patient to come back for the blood draw?
- A2 hours after their first morning void.
- B2 hours after waking up in the morning.
- C2 hours after consuming a glucose-rich drink.
- D2 hours after finishing their last meal.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 2 hours after finishing their last meal.
A 2-hour postprandial glucose test measures blood glucose levels exactly two hours after the patient has finished eating a regular meal. 'Postprandial' specifically refers to the period after a meal, and the timing is crucial for accurate assessment of glucose metabolism.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Voiding time has no bearing on postprandial glucose testing.
- B. This timing is irrelevant for a postprandial test; waking glucose is for fasting or random tests.
- C. This describes the timing for a glucose tolerance test, not a standard postprandial glucose test.
2-Hour Postprandial Glucose Timing
The precise timing of blood collection for a 2-hour postprandial glucose test, which is used to monitor a patient's glucose metabolism after a meal.
- Measures glucose after a standard meal.
- Timing starts after the last bite of food.
- Crucial for diabetes diagnosis and management.
Memory trick: Post-meal, two hours, blood draw power.