Non-communicable diseases: diagnosis of diabetes: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Non-communicable diseases: diagnosis of diabetes

Sample item

A 45-year-old has fasting plasma glucose of 128 mg/dL on two separate days with no symptoms. The most appropriate interpretation is:

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Diabetes mellitus

Fasting plasma glucose of 126 mg/dL or more on two occasions diagnoses diabetes in an asymptomatic person. Other criteria are an HbA1c of 6.5 percent or more, 2-hour OGTT of 200 mg/dL or more, or a random value of 200 with symptoms.

Option by option

  • A. Diabetes mellitus (correct)

    Correct. Two fasting values above 126 confirm diabetes.

  • B. Gestational diabetes

    Gestational diabetes applies to pregnancy.

  • C. Impaired fasting glucose

    Impaired fasting glucose is 100 to 125 mg/dL.

  • D. Normal

    Normal fasting glucose is under 100 mg/dL.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is A, Diabetes mellitus. Fasting plasma glucose of 126 mg/dL or more on two occasions diagnoses diabetes in an asymptomatic person.

Why is "Gestational diabetes" not the answer?

Gestational diabetes applies to pregnancy.

Why is "Impaired fasting glucose" not the answer?

Impaired fasting glucose is 100 to 125 mg/dL.

Why is "Normal" not the answer?

Normal fasting glucose is under 100 mg/dL.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Non-communicable diseases: diagnosis of diabetes in PSM. Other criteria are an HbA1c of 6.5 percent or more, 2-hour OGTT of 200 mg/dL or more, or a random value of 200 with symptoms.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Non-communicable diseases: diagnosis of diabetes?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.