When a pregnant client with diabetes experiences hypoglycemia ...

[ETearle]

When a pregnant client with diabetes experiences hypoglycemia while hospitalized, which should the nurse have the client do?
 
  a. Eat a candy bar.
  b. Eat six saltine crackers or drink 8 oz of milk.
  c. Drink 4 oz of orange juice followed by 8 oz of milk.
  d. Drink 8 oz of orange juice with 2 teaspoons of sugar added.

Question 2

Which factor is most important in diminishing maternal, fetal, and neonatal complications in a pregnant client with diabetes?
 
  a. Evaluation of retinopathy by an ophthalmologist
  b. The client's stable emotional and psychological status
  c. Degree of glycemic control before and during the pregnancy
  d. Total protein excretion and creatinine clearance within normal limits

[Zebsrer]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Crackers provide carbohydrates in the form of polysaccharides. A candy bar provides only monosaccharides. Milk is a disaccharide and orange juice is a monosaccharide. This will help increase the blood sugar level but will not sustain it. Orange juice and sugar will increase the blood sugar level but will not provide a slow-burning carbohydrate to sustain it.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
The occurrence of complications can be greatly diminished by maintaining normal blood glucose levels before and during the pregnancy. Even nonpregnant diabetics should have an annual eye examination. Assessing a client's emotional status is helpful. Coping with a pregnancy superimposed on preexisting diabetes can be very difficult for the whole family. However, it is not the top priority. Baseline renal function is assessed with a 24-hour urine collection and does not diminish the client's risk for complications.