Eli Jordon, a 55-year-old accountant, attends the medical clinic once every month. He has a BMI of 31.2 and a waist-to-hip ratio of 1.8.

Eli Jordon, a 55-year-old accountant, attends the medical clinic once every month. He has a BMI of 31.2 and a waist-to-hip ratio of 1.8. He has blood work and an oral glucose tolerance test done after reporting increased thirst and urination. His fasting plasma glucose is 134 and his oral glucose tolerance test is 272. The provider informs him that he has Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The health care professional knows the treatment for Type 2 diabetes mellitus will possibly include an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (Acarbose) along with the sulfonylurea (Glyburide). Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors act to: a. Decrease insulin resistance or improve sensitivity to insulin in muscle and adipose tissue. b. Delay the digestion of complex carbohydrates and subsequent absorption of glucose, resulting in a smaller rise in blood glucose concentrations following meals. c. Decrease hepatic glucose output and enhance insulin sensitivity in muscle cells. d. Stimulate insulin production from the pancreas and improve peripheral insulin activity.