The newly diagnosed patient with type 2 diabetes has been prescribed metformin (Glucophage). What should the nurse tell the patient to best explain how this medication works?

Choice A reason: This describes GLP-1 agonists, not metformin. Metformin does not primarily increase insulin release, inhibit glucagon, or delay gastric emptying. Its main actions are hepatic glucose suppression and insulin sensitivity improvement, making this choice incorrect for metformin’s mechanism. Choice B reason: Metformin does not increase insulin production from the pancreas. It works primarily in the liver and peripheral tissues to manage glucose levels in type 2 diabetes, making this statement incorrect as it misrepresents metformin’s pharmacological action. Choice C reason: Metformin reduces hepatic glucose production by inhibiting gluconeogenesis and enhances insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues, improving glucose uptake. This lowers blood glucose in type 2 diabetes without causing hypoglycemia, making this the accurate explanation of its mechanism. Choice D reason: Slowing carbohydrate absorption is the mechanism of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, not metformin. Metformin’s primary effects are on the liver and insulin-sensitive tissues, not intestinal absorption, making this choice incorrect for explaining how metformin works.