What type of graph is best for plotting the results of a glucose tolerance test?

A line graph is the most effective choice for plotting the results of a glucose tolerance test. This type of graph is particularly suited for displaying continuous data over time, which is a key element of the glucose tolerance test. In this test, blood glucose levels are measured at multiple time points after glucose ingestion, typically starting from fasting levels and then at intervals post-ingestion (e.g., 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours).

Using a line graph allows for an easy visualization of how glucose levels change over time, enabling healthcare professionals and researchers to quickly identify patterns, such as peaks and troughs in glucose levels, which are critical for evaluating an individual’s response to glucose and diagnosing conditions like diabetes.

Other types of graphs, such as a linear regression graph, while useful for representing relationships between variables, focus primarily on trends and prediction rather than the specific changes in data over time. A pie chart is not appropriate, as it is used to show proportions of a whole at a single point in time rather than changes in measurements over intervals. A mean and standard deviation chart typically summarizes data rather than providing an immediate visual representation of individual test results over time.