Author Question: The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who is diabetic. The nurse cautions against the ... (Read 350 times)

tnt_battle · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who is diabetic. The nurse cautions against the technique of tight control of hyperglycemia. Which statement explains why this management method is not recommended?

a. Older adults may not accurately test and administer sliding-scale insulin.
b. Older adults possess lower risk for hyper-glycemia.
c. Older adults may experience cardiovascu-lar problems from hypoglycemia.
d. Older adults possess an unstable metabolic rate.

Question 2

Which preventative measure(s) may protect against development of cardiovascular disease? (Select all that apply.)

a. Exercising regularly for at least 30 minutes a day
b. Maintaining high-density lipoprotein (HDL) greater than 50 mg/dL
c. Refraining from smoking
d. Obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight
e. Maintaining triglycerides above 150 mg/dL

choc0chan · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
One complication of the tight control method includes hypoglycemia. Older adults experience hypoglycemia more quickly than do younger people, and older adults are more prone to hypog-lycemic episodes. The older adult may progress to dangerously low levels of blood glucose be-fore signs and symptoms are obvious. Severe hypoglycemia in the older adult can precipitate myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, or seizures. For this reason, tight control may not be the best thing for the older adult. Older adults can accurately test and administer insulin, possess a higher risk for hypoglycemia, and do not possess an unstable metabolic rate.

Answer to Question 2

A, B, C, D
Behaviors that may help to prevent CAD include: exercising regularly for at least 30 minutes a day, maintaining HDL greater than 50 mg/dL, refraining from smoking, and obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight. Triglycerides should be maintained below 150 mg/dL.