How Do You Perform Glucose Tolerance Tests?
The glucose tolerance test is used to diagnose diabetes. It is used to determine the presence of type 2 diabetes as well as gestational diabetes in pregnant women. When conducting a glucose tolerance test, it is helpful to be understanding of patients who must spend several hours in a clinic or lab until the testing process is complete. If you are performing the glucose tolerance test, you will need to be a certified phlebotomist, nurse or other health care professional trained to legally draw blood. Give the patient who is having the glucose tolerance test his instructions the day prior to the appointment. Inform the person that the glucose tolerance test is a fasting test. Tell the patient to refrain from eating or drinking anything after midnight or for 8 to 12 hours before the appointment. Confirm that the patient has successfully fasted at the time of the appointment, prior to drawing blood. Reschedule the glucose tolerance test if the patient failed to fast. Draw a vial of blood
