A nurse is providing education to a pregnant client about the screening test for gestational diabetes.

The nurse explains that the test involves measuring blood sugar levels at different time points.

Which of the following blood sugar level readings would confirm a diagnosis of gestational diabetes?

The correct answer is choice B.“I can drink water during the test to stay hydrated.” This statement indicates an understanding of the procedure because water does not affect the blood glucose level and can help prevent dehydration during the test.

Choice A is wrong because “I should avoid any high-sugar foods for a week before the test.” This statement is incorrect because the client only needs to avoid eating or drinking anything except water for at least eight hours before the test.

Avoiding high-sugar foods for a week before the test is unnecessary and may alter the results.

Choice C is wrong because “I need to fast for 12 hours before the test.” This statement is incorrect because the client only needs to fast for eight hours before the test.

Fasting for longer than eight hours may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or ketosis (high levels of ketones in the blood).

Choice D is wrong because “I should avoid physical activity on the day of the test.” This statement is incorrect because moderate physical activity does not affect the blood glucose level and may help reduce stress during the test.

However, strenuous exercise should be avoided as it may lower the blood glucose level too much.

Normal ranges for blood glucose levels during the glucose tolerance test are:

• Fasting: less than 5.3 mmol/L (95 mg/dL)

• One hour: less than 10.0 mmol/L (180 mg/dL)

• Two hours: less than 8.6 mmol/L (155 mg/dL)

The correct answer is choice C. Fasting: 90 mg/dL, 1 hour: 185 mg/dL, 2 hours: 160 mg/dL.

This is because these blood sugar levels exceed the normal ranges for a pregnant woman undergoing a screening test for gestational diabetes.

The normal ranges are:

• Fasting: less than 95 mg/dL

• 1 hour: less than 180 mg/dL

• 2 hours: less than 155 mg/dL

Choice A is wrong because these blood sugar levels are within the normal ranges.

Choice B is wrong because only the fasting blood sugar level is slightly above the normal range, but not enough to confirm a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

Choice D is wrong because only the 1 hour and 2 hours blood sugar levels are slightly above the normal ranges, but not enough to confirm a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.