Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What is the typical classification for a diabetes condition with random glucose equal to or above 11?

1. Diabetes Mellitus

2. Normal Glucose Tolerance

3. Impaired Glucose Tolerance

4. Impaired Fasting Glucose

The correct answer is: Diabetes Mellitus

The classification for a diabetes condition, specifically when a random glucose measurement is equal to or above 11 mmol/L, aligns with the diagnostic criteria for Diabetes Mellitus. The threshold of 11 mmol/L is significant in the context of diagnosing diabetes because it indicates hyperglycemia, which is a hallmark of this condition. To diagnose diabetes using random glucose testing, a value of 11.1 mmol/L or higher is generally accepted. In cases where this threshold is met, it confirms the presence of diabetes mellitus, as it suggests that the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels has been compromised. Normal glucose tolerance isn’t characterized by elevated glucose levels, and neither is impaired glucose tolerance, both of which reflect a state of better glucose regulation than diabetes. Additionally, impaired fasting glucose refers specifically to elevated glucose levels after a period of fasting, which differs significantly from the random glucose metric used in this scenario. Thus, the presence of a random glucose equal to or above 11 mmol/L distinctly categorizes the condition as Diabetes Mellitus.