A nurse is reinforcing teaching about HbA1c with a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Which of the following information should the nurse include?

Place the newborn on a flat surface and clap hands loudly.

This action will elicit the Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, which is a normal, involuntary reaction that newborns and infants have when they’re startled. In response to the sound, the baby will throw back his or her head, extend out his or her arms and legs, cry, then pull the arms and legs back in.

Choice A is wrong because placing the newborn on their abdomen and observing the movement of their extremities will not trigger the Moro reflex.

This position may elicit other reflexes such as the crawling reflex or the tonic neck reflex.

Choice B is wrong because stroking the newborn’s cheek toward their mouth will not trigger the Moro reflex. This action will elicit the rooting reflex, which helps the baby find the breast or bottle to start feeding.

Choice C is wrong because stroking upward on the lateral aspect of the newborn’s foot will not trigger the Moro reflex. This action will elicit the Babinski reflex, which causes the big toe to extend upward and the other toes to fan out.

The HbA1c value determines long-term blood glucose control for the past 120 days. This is because the HbA1c test measures what percentage of hemoglobin proteins in your blood are coated with sugar (glycated). Hemoglobin proteins in red blood cells live for around 120 days, so the test reflects your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months.

Choice A is wrong because an HbA1c value greater than 8% indicates poor diabetic control of blood sugar. The HbA1c target for most people with type 1 diabetes is 48 mmol/mol (or 6.5%) or lower.

Choice B is wrong because the HbA1c value is not altered by eating habits the day before the test. The test does not require fasting and can be done at any time of the day.

Choice D is wrong because an HbA1c test should be performed more than once per year.

The frequency of the test depends on the type of diabetes, your treatment plan and your blood sugar level. For example, you may need the test twice a year if you have good blood sugar control, or four times a year if you take insulin or have trouble keeping your blood sugar level within your target range.