Certified Diabetes Educator Practice Exam

Plasma shows a higher glucose value compared to whole blood due to the difference in their compositions. Plasma is the liquid part of blood that is left after blood cells are removed, and it contains a higher concentration of glucose because it holds all the solutes, including glucose, in a more concentrated form.

When blood is collected and analyzed, whole blood includes both the cellular components (like red and white blood cells) and the plasma. The glucose concentration appears lower in whole blood because the glucose is diluted within the entire volume of blood, which contains the cellular elements. As a result, when laboratory tests measure glucose levels, they often refer to plasma glucose, which is consistently higher.

This difference is significant in clinical practice and diabetes management, as healthcare providers often make decisions based on plasma glucose measurements. Understanding this distinction helps in accurately interpreting blood glucose readings and making informed decisions about treatment and management strategies for diabetes.