OGT Patient Preparation and Pre-Test Requirements 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many hours must a patient fast before a standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)?
- 4 hours
- 8 hours
- 10–12 hours (Correct answer)
- 24 hours
Correct answer: 10–12 hours
Patients must fast for 10–12 hours before an OGTT to ensure accurate baseline glucose readings.
Question 2: Which of the following should a patient AVOID for at least 3 days before an OGTT?
- Drinking water
- Carbohydrate restriction (Correct answer)
- Light walking
- Taking a multivitamin
Correct answer: Carbohydrate restriction
Patients should consume an unrestricted diet with at least 150 g of carbohydrates per day for 3 days before the test to prevent falsely elevated results.
Question 3: What should a patient do regarding physical activity on the day of the OGTT?
- Exercise vigorously to lower baseline glucose
- Avoid strenuous exercise (Correct answer)
- Run at least 30 minutes before the test
- Engage in moderate aerobic activity
Correct answer: Avoid strenuous exercise
Strenuous exercise should be avoided on test day because it can alter glucose metabolism and skew results.
Question 4: Which instruction is correct regarding smoking before an OGTT?
- Smoking is permitted up to 1 hour before the test
- Smoking has no effect on the test
- Patients should refrain from smoking during the test period (Correct answer)
- Smoking lowers blood glucose and is encouraged
Correct answer: Patients should refrain from smoking during the test period
Smoking is prohibited during the OGTT period because nicotine stimulates epinephrine release, which raises blood glucose levels.
Question 5: What is the recommended posture for a patient during the OGTT procedure?
- Lie flat throughout
- Sit quietly and avoid strenuous activity (Correct answer)
- Stand and walk between draws
- Exercise lightly between blood draws
Correct answer: Sit quietly and avoid strenuous activity
The patient should remain seated and at rest throughout the test to maintain consistent physiological conditions.
Question 6: Which medication class is most commonly asked to be temporarily discontinued before an OGTT if medically safe?
- Beta-blockers
- Oral contraceptives (Correct answer)
- Antibiotics
- Antihistamines
Correct answer: Oral contraceptives
Oral contraceptives can impair glucose tolerance and may be temporarily held before testing when clinically appropriate.
OGT Patient Preparation and Pre-Test Requirements 1
How many hours must a patient fast before a standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)?