Non-communicable diseases: classification of glucose tolerance: 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: classification of glucose tolerance

Sample item

A 50-year-old overweight man undergoes a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. His fasting plasma glucose is 92 mg/dL and the 2-hour value is 168 mg/dL. How is his glycaemic status classified?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Impaired glucose tolerance

Impaired glucose tolerance is a fasting glucose below the diabetic range with a 2-hour value of 140 to 199 mg/dL. Impaired fasting glucose requires an elevated fasting value. A 2-hour value of 200 mg/dL or more would confirm diabetes. IGT carries a high risk of progression to diabetes and of cardiovascular disease.

Option by option

  • A. Impaired glucose tolerance (correct)

    Correct. A normal fasting value with a 2-hour value between 140 and 199 mg/dL defines IGT.

  • B. Impaired fasting glucose

    Impaired fasting glucose needs an elevated fasting value, which is not present.

  • C. Diabetes mellitus

    Diabetes needs a fasting value of 126 mg/dL or more or a 2-hour value of 200 mg/dL or more.

  • D. Normal glucose tolerance

    A 2-hour value of 168 mg/dL is above the normal range.

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, Impaired glucose tolerance. Impaired glucose tolerance is a fasting glucose below the diabetic range with a 2-hour value of 140 to 199 mg/dL.

Why is "Impaired fasting glucose" not the answer?

Impaired fasting glucose needs an elevated fasting value, which is not present.

Why is "Diabetes mellitus" not the answer?

Diabetes needs a fasting value of 126 mg/dL or more or a 2-hour value of 200 mg/dL or more.

Why is "Normal glucose tolerance" not the answer?

A 2-hour value of 168 mg/dL is above the normal range.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Non-communicable diseases: classification of glucose tolerance in PSM. Impaired fasting glucose requires an elevated fasting value. A 2-hour value of 200 mg/dL or more would confirm diabetes. IGT carries a high risk of progression to diabetes and of cardiovascular disease.

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: classification of glucose tolerance?

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.