Answer to Question 1
The level of glycosylated hemoglobin correlates with the level of blood glucose in the past 3 months, providing an index of blood glucose control in the past 3-4 months.
Answer to Question 2
Normally, the spleen lies underneath the rib cage at the level of thoracic vertebrae 9 through 12 . When it is enlarged, as in infectious mononucleosis, the spleen extends below the ribs into the upper abdomen. Therefore, any contact sports that expose the upper abdomen to possible trauma may rupture the enlarged spleen.