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Infection Control · single question

A patient with HbA1c of 10% presents for dental treatment. This value indicates:

  1. Well-controlled diabetes
  2. The patient is hypoglycemic
  3. The patient is having an acute hyperglycemic episode
  4. Poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c >8% = poor control; <7% = well-controlled)
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Correct answer: D. Poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c >8% = poor control; <7% = well-controlled)

  • A. Well-controlled diabetes has HbA1c <7%; this patient's 10% is significantly above that threshold.
  • B. Hypoglycemia would cause a LOW HbA1c over time — a value of 10% indicates chronic hyperglycemia.
  • C. HbA1c reflects AVERAGE glucose over 3 months — it does not indicate an acute episode on the day of measurement.
  • D. Correct. HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) reflects average blood glucose over the past 2–3 months. Target for well-controlled DM: <7% (or <8% in older patients). HbA1c of 10% indicates POORLY CONTROLLED diabetes. This patient is at increased risk for periodontal disease, impaired healing, and post-operative infections.

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