Screening for and diagnosis of diabetes may require a patient to drink a specified dose of glucose in water (50 grams, 75 grams, or 100 grams) or eat a prescribed meal, depending on the given test. It is critical to the accurate interpretation of the test results that the correct procedure is followed. If you are responsible for administering the glucose dose and/or collecting the blood specimens, make sure that you follow the procedural steps as required by your laboratory's specimen collection manual, including:
- Verification of proper patient preparation (e.g., when the patient last had food or drink)
- Administration of correct glucose dose
- Collection of blood specimens at the correct time regarding glucose administration or meal consumption
