BC-ADM key terms

A blood test that reflects the average glucose level over the previous two to three months by measuring glycated hemoglobin. It is used to diagnose diabetes and to monitor long-term glycemic control.

A blood glucose measurement taken after at least eight hours without caloric intake. It is used to diagnose diabetes and to assess basal glycemic control.

A diagnostic test that measures plasma glucose before and two hours after drinking a standardized glucose load. It is used to diagnose diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance.

A condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but below the diabetes threshold. It signals increased risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease and warrants lifestyle intervention.

A prediabetes category defined by a two-hour oral glucose tolerance test value between 140 and 199 mg/dL. It reflects post-load hyperglycemia and predicts progression to type 2 diabetes.

A structured, ongoing process that helps people with diabetes build the knowledge and skills needed for daily self-care. It is delivered by trained educators and tailored to individual needs and goals.

A collaborative counseling style that helps people explore and resolve ambivalence about behavior change. It uses open questions, reflective listening, and affirmation to strengthen a person's own reasons for change.

The degree to which a person can obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services to make informed decisions. Low health literacy requires simplified teaching and teach-back methods.

A communication technique in which the learner explains information back in their own words. It confirms understanding and corrects misunderstandings, and it is useful for people with low health literacy.

A process in which the clinician and the person with diabetes discuss treatment options, benefits, and risks together and agree on a plan that reflects the person's values and preferences.

An oral biguanide that lowers hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity. It is usually the first-line medication for type 2 diabetes and is associated with gastrointestinal side effects and rare lactic acidosis.

An oral medication that blocks sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 in the kidney, increasing urinary glucose excretion. It lowers glucose and provides kidney and heart protection in people with type 2 diabetes.

An injectable or oral medication that mimics glucagon-like peptide-1, increasing glucose-dependent insulin release, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite. It promotes weight loss and lowers cardiovascular risk.

A long-acting or intermediate-acting insulin that provides background insulin coverage between meals and overnight. It is often the first insulin started in type 2 diabetes when oral agents are insufficient.

A rapid-acting or short-acting insulin given at meals or to correct high glucose. It covers the glucose rise from food and is dosed using an insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio or correction factor.

The number of grams of carbohydrate covered by one unit of rapid-acting insulin. It is used to calculate mealtime bolus doses in intensive insulin therapy.

The amount by which one unit of rapid-acting insulin is expected to lower blood glucose. It is used to calculate extra insulin for glucose above the target level.

A meal-planning method in which the person tracks grams of carbohydrate eaten and adjusts insulin or food choices accordingly. It supports glycemic control in people using multiple daily injections or pumps.

A ranking of carbohydrate-containing foods based on how quickly they raise blood glucose compared with a reference food. Lower-index foods produce a slower, smaller glucose rise.

Individualized nutrition assessment and counseling provided by a registered dietitian to manage diabetes and related conditions. It addresses carbohydrate intake, weight goals, and cardiovascular risk factors.

A technology that measures glucose in interstitial fluid at frequent intervals using a wearable sensor. It provides real-time readings, trends, and alerts to support treatment decisions.

The percentage of time that glucose stays within a target range, typically 70 to 180 mg/dL. It complements A1C by capturing day-to-day glycemic variation and is derived from continuous glucose monitoring data.

The degree to which blood glucose fluctuates above and below the average over time. High variability increases hypoglycemia risk and is assessed with continuous glucose monitoring metrics such as coefficient of variation.

A value calculated from A1C that expresses the average glucose level in the same units used by meters and continuous glucose monitors. It helps people connect A1C results to daily readings.

A sensor-based system in which the user scans a reader over a wearable sensor to obtain current glucose, trend, and history data. It does not require routine fingerstick calibration in most versions.

A serious acute complication marked by hyperglycemia, ketone production, and metabolic acidosis. It occurs most often in type 1 diabetes and requires urgent fluid, insulin, and electrolyte treatment.

A life-threatening complication of severe hyperglycemia with marked dehydration and high serum osmolality, usually without significant ketosis. It occurs mainly in older adults with type 2 diabetes.

A form of ketoacidosis in which glucose is only mildly elevated or normal but ketones and acidosis are present. It is associated with SGLT2 inhibitor use, illness, fasting, and surgery.

Abnormally low blood glucose, typically below 70 mg/dL, that may cause confusion, sweating, tremor, and, if severe, loss of consciousness. It is treated with fast-acting carbohydrate or glucagon.

A condition in which a person no longer perceives the early warning symptoms of low blood glucose. It increases the risk of severe hypoglycemia and often improves after avoiding lows for several weeks.

A hormone that raises blood glucose by stimulating glycogen breakdown and gluconeogenesis. Injectable and nasal forms are emergency treatments for severe hypoglycemia when a person cannot take oral carbohydrate.

Kidney damage caused by diabetes, marked by persistent albuminuria or reduced glomerular filtration rate. It is slowed by blood pressure control, renin-angiotensin system blockade, and SGLT2 inhibitors.

The presence of excess albumin in the urine, measured as the albumin-to-creatinine ratio. It is an early marker of diabetic kidney disease and a risk factor for cardiovascular events.

Microvascular damage to the retina caused by chronic hyperglycemia. It can progress to vision loss and is detected through regular dilated eye examinations.

Nerve damage in the feet and legs caused by diabetes, producing numbness, tingling, or pain. Loss of protective sensation increases the risk of foot ulcers and amputation.

A break in the skin of the foot that occurs in people with diabetes, often because of neuropathy, poor circulation, or pressure. It requires offloading, wound care, and infection control.

Narrowing of arteries caused by plaque buildup, leading to heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease. Diabetes greatly increases risk, and statins plus certain glucose-lowering drugs reduce it.

An early-morning rise in blood glucose caused by overnight release of counterregulatory hormones such as growth hormone and cortisol. It is managed by adjusting basal insulin or medication timing.

A rebound high morning glucose that follows an overnight low. It is suspected when fasting glucose is high after documented or suspected nocturnal hypoglycemia and is managed by reducing evening insulin.

A plan for managing diabetes during illness, including more frequent glucose monitoring, continued insulin, hydration, and when to call the clinician. It helps prevent ketoacidosis and severe hyperglycemia.