Question

Nursing intervention for hemoglobin A1C

Answer 1

HbA1c is is called glycosylated hemoglobin. It is the combination of glucose and hemoglobin. When blood glucose level is increased automatically glycosylated hemoglobin also increases. Normal range of glycosylated hemoglobin is 5.6 - 7.5 % of total Hgb.

- The nurse should know that the lifespan of RBC is 120 days and the measurement of glycosylated hemoglobin gives average blood glucose level for 2-3months.

- The nurse should know A1c doesn't require fasting prior to the test.

- The nurse should know that there is no need for multiple blood withdrawals.

- Educate the patient that 3 month interval testing is needed for type l and 6 month interval testing is needed for type ll patients.

- Educate the patient that unstable or pregnant type l diabetic women may be tested frequently than every 3 months.

- Observe the patients for contraindications such as anemia.

- The nurse should know that there is a special A1c test for patients with sickle cell anemia.