Author Question: A hospitalized diabetic patient received 38 U of NPH insulin at 7:00 AM. At 1:00 PM, the patient has ... (Read 73 times)

Alainaaa8 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A hospitalized diabetic patient received 38 U of NPH insulin at 7:00 AM. At 1:00 PM, the patient has been away from the nursing unit for 2 hours, missing the lunch delivery while awaiting a chest x-ray.

To prevent hypoglycemia, the best action by the nurse is to
a. save the lunch tray for the patient's later return to the unit.
b. ask that diagnostic testing area staff to start a 5 dextrose IV.
c. send a glass of milk or orange juice to the patient in the diagnostic testing area.
d. request that if testing is further delayed, the patient be returned to the unit to eat.

Question 2

The nurse has been teaching a patient with type 2 diabetes about managing blood glucose levels and taking glipizide (Glucotrol). Which patient statement indicates a need for additional teaching?

a. If I overeat at a meal, I will still take the usual dose of medication.
b. Other medications besides the Glucotrol may affect my blood sugar.
c. When I am ill, I may have to take insulin to control my blood sugar.
d. My diabetes won't cause complications because I don't need insulin.

emilymalinowski12 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Consistency for mealtimes assists with regulation of blood glucose, so the best option is for the patient to have lunch at the usual time. Waiting to eat until after the procedure is likely to cause hypoglycemia. Administration of an IV solution is unnecessarily invasive for the patient. A glass of milk or juice will keep the patient from becoming hypoglycemic but will cause a rapid rise in blood glucose because of the rapid absorption of the simple carbohydrate in these items.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The patient should understand that type 2 diabetes places the patient at risk for many complications and that good glucose control is as important when taking oral agents as when using insulin. The other statements are accurate and indicate good understanding of the use of glipizide.