A 49-year-old female with frequent vaginal yeast infections and obesity has several diagnostic tests. The nurse should review results for an elevated...

• A. Fasting blood glucose
• B. Hemoglobin A1c
• C. Lipid panel
• D. Thyroid function

Answer: (A)

This item emphasizes recognizing diabetes risk in a patient with recurrent vaginal yeast infections and obesity by looking for an elevated fasting plasma glucose. Recurrent yeast infections can occur when blood sugar is high, because excess glucose in vaginal secretions feeds Candida. Obesity often accompanies insulin resistance, increasing the likelihood of type 2 diabetes. The fasting glucose test directly measures blood sugar after an overnight fast and is a primary way to diagnose diabetes; an elevated result here points to impaired glucose metabolism that explains the symptoms and risk factors. Hemoglobin A1c reflects average glucose over the past 2–3 months and would also be elevated with persistent hyperglycemia, but the fasting glucose test is the most immediate indicator used to screen and diagnose diabetes in this clinical scenario. Lipid panel and thyroid function are important for other aspects of health but don’t specifically address the glucose abnormalities linked to these findings.