A client has a new diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome. The nurse should plan to monitor which laboratory value?

• A. BUN
• B. Liver function
• C. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
• D. Glucose

Answer: (C)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome carries a high risk of insulin resistance and future type 2 diabetes, so monitoring metabolic status is a key part of management. The lab value you track most with this condition is glucose, using fasting glucose or an oral glucose tolerance test (and sometimes HbA1c) to detect impaired glucose tolerance early and guide treatment like lifestyle changes or medications such as metformin. Liver function tests and BUN aren’t central to PCOS monitoring unless there are specific symptoms or other conditions present, and thyroid function is evaluated mainly to rule out thyroid disease as a contributor to menstrual irregularities rather than for ongoing PCOS management.