A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a pregnant woman who has gestational diabetes.

The nurse expects to find which of the following findings?

The correct answer is

A. Elevated fasting blood glucose levels.

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a condition where the blood sugar levels are higher than normal during pregnancy.

It can affect the health of the mother and the baby if not well controlled. GDM usually goes away after delivery, but it can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

A. Elevated fasting blood glucose levels.

This statement is true.

Fasting blood glucose levels are the levels of glucose in the blood after not eating or drinking anything except water for at least 8 hours.

Normal fasting blood glucose levels are between 70 and 100 mg/dL (3.9 and 5.6 mmol/L).

In GDM, the fasting blood glucose levels are higher than normal, usually above 95 mg/dL (5.3 mmol/L). This indicates that the body is not able to use insulin effectively to lower the blood sugar levels.

B. Decreased postprandial blood glucose levels.

This statement is false.

Postprandial blood glucose levels are the levels of glucose in the blood after eating a meal or a snack.

Normal postprandial blood glucose levels are below 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) within 2 hours of eating.

In GDM, the postprandial blood glucose levels are higher than normal, usually above 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) within 1 hour or above 120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L) within 2 hours of eating. This indicates that the body is not able to use insulin effectively to lower the blood sugar levels after a meal.

C. Elevated serum insulin levels.

This statement is false.

Serum insulin levels are the levels of insulin in the blood.

Insulin is a hormone that helps the cells to take up glucose from the blood for energy or storage.

Normal serum insulin levels vary depending on the time of day, the type of food eaten, and other factors.

In GDM, the serum insulin levels are not necessarily elevated, but they may be insufficient to overcome the insulin resistance caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy. Insulin resistance is a condition where the cells do not respond well to insulin and require more insulin to lower the blood sugar levels .

D. Decreased glycosylated hemoglobin levels.

This statement is false.

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a measure of how much glucose is attached to hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

HbA1c reflects the average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months.

Normal HbA1c levels are below 5.7%.

In GDM, the HbA1c levels are not necessarily decreased, but they may be within or slightly above the normal range, depending on how well the blood sugar levels are controlled during pregnancy. HbA1c is not a reliable test for diagnosing GDM, as it may not reflect the recent changes in blood sugar levels caused by pregnancy .