In my last post, I asked what was the one lab ordered on a patient with third degree burns. The answer?
Hemoglobin A1c
Congrats to Agnes, for knowing how important it is to find out how well your patient with new severe burns had been controlling their blood sugar for the past several months.
Hey! I need more! Why? Why is it important to know the A1c for patients with new burns? Is it because if they were diabetic, they might not have sensation in their hands and feet? What is the concern? Thanks in advance!
ReplyDeleteCould be worse. I (a guy) have multiple negative pregnancy tests on file from when I was on accutane.
ReplyDeleteThe A1C may be beneficial for predicting recovery. If they have bad neuropathy and microvascular damage from long term high BG they are at a higher risk for infections and wound healing issues.
Thanks for the post and SuFu PhD's follow up comments. I posted both on my new pre-med blog intended for my classmates and anyone else: http://premedstudyguides.wordpress.com/2012/02/18/hemoglobin-a1c-hplc/
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!
I'm not saying the A1c was totally useless. But if you're going to order ONE test on a patient with severe burns, I don't think that's the one I'd pick. Also, I'd probably order more than one test.
ReplyDeleteFizzy, what tests would you order?
ReplyDeleteDunno, maybe a chem panel, CBC, LFTs for starters. A prealbumin to figure out the nutritional status isn't a bad idea.
ReplyDelete