Diabetes Meds PrepU
Which statement best indicates that a client understands how to administer his own insulin injections? "I need to be sure no air bubbles remain." "I need to wash my hands before I give myself my injection." "If I'm not feeling well, I can get a friend or neighbor to help me." "I wrote down the steps in case I forget what to do."
"I wrote down the steps in case I forget what to do." Explanation: The fact that the client has written down each step of insulin administration provides the best assurance that he'll follow through with all the proper steps. Awareness of air bubbles and hand washing indicate that the client understands certain aspects of giving an injection, but doesn't confirm he understands all of the steps. Saying that he can ask a friend or neighbor for help indicates a need for further instruction.
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin to a child who's just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. When the child's mother stops the nurse in the hall, she's crying and anxious to talk about her son's condition. The nurse's best response is: "I can't talk now. I have to give your son his insulin as soon as possible." "If you'll wait in your son's room, the physician will talk with you as soon as he's free." "Everything will be just fine. I'll be back in a minute and then we can talk." "I'm going to give your son some insulin. Then I'll be happy to talk with you."
"I'm going to give your son some insulin. Then I'll be happy to talk with you." Explanation: Attending to the mother's needs is a critical part of caring for a sick child. In this case however, administering insulin in a prompt manner supersedes the mother's needs. By informing the mother that she's going to administer the insulin and will then make time to talk with her, the nurse recognizes the mother's needs as legitimate. She provides a reasonable response while attending to the priority of administering insulin as soon as possible. Telling the mother that she can't talk with her or telling her to wait for the physician could increase the mother's fear and anxiety. The nurse shouldn't tell the mother that everything will be fine; the nurse doesn't know that everything will be fine.
A nurse prepares teaching for a client with newly-diagnosed diabetes. Which statements about the role of insulin will the nurse include in the teaching? Select all that apply. "Insulin permits entry of glucose into the cells of the body." "Insulin promotes synthesis of proteins in various body tissues." "Insulin promotes the storage of fat in adipose tissue." "Insulin interferes with glucagon from the pancreas." "Insulin interferes with the release of growth hormone from the pituitary."
"Insulin permits entry of glucose into the cells of the body." "Insulin promotes synthesis of proteins in various body tissues." "Insulin promotes the storage of fat in adipose tissue." Explanation: Insulin is a hormone secreted by the endocrine part of the pancreas. In addition to lowering blood glucose by permitting entry of glucose into the cells, insulin also promotes protein synthesis and the storage of fat in adipose tissue. Somatostatin exerts a hypoglycemic effect by interfering with glucagon from the pancreas and the release of growth hormone from the pituitary.
A client with diabetes mellitus must learn how to self-administer insulin. The physician has ordered 10 units of U-100 regular insulin and 35 units of U-100 isophane insulin suspension (NPH) to be taken before breakfast. When teaching the client how to select and rotate insulin injection sites, the nurse should provide which instruction? "Inject insulin into healthy tissue with large blood vessels and nerves." "Rotate injection sites within the same anatomic region, not among different regions." "Administer insulin into areas of scar tissue or hypertrophy whenever possible." "Administer insulin into sites above muscles that you plan to exercise heavily later that day."
"Rotate injection sites within the same anatomic region, not among different regions." Explanation: The nurse should instruct the client to rotate injection sites within the same anatomic region. Rotating sites among different regions may cause excessive day-to-day variations in the blood glucose level; also, insulin absorption differs from one region to the next. Insulin should be injected only into healthy tissue lacking large blood vessels, nerves, or scar tissue or other deviations. Injecting insulin into areas of hypertrophy may delay absorption. The client shouldn't inject insulin into areas of lipodystrophy (such as hypertrophy or atrophy); to prevent lipodystrophy, the client should rotate injection sites systematically. Exercise speeds drug absorption, so the client shouldn't inject insulin into sites above muscles that will be exercised heavily.
Health teaching for a patient with diabetes who is prescribed Humulin N, an intermediate NPH insulin, would include which of the following advice? "Your insulin will begin to act in 15 minutes." "You should expect your insulin to reach its peak effectiveness by 12 noon if you take it at 8:00 AM." "You should take your insulin after you eat breakfast and dinner." "Your insulin will last 8 hours, and you will need to take it three times a day."
"You should take your insulin after you eat breakfast and dinner." Explanation: NPH (Humulin N) insulin is an intermediate-acting insulin that has an onset of 2 to 4 hours, a peak effectiveness of 6 to 8 hours, and a duration of 12 to 16 hours. See Table 30-3 in the text.
The nurse is administering lispro insulin. Based on the onset of action, how long before breakfast should the nurse administer the injection? 10 to 15 minutes 30 to 40 minutes 1 to 2 hours 3 hours
10 to 15 minutes Explanation: The onset of action of rapid-acting lispro insulin is within 10 to 15 minutes. It is used to rapidly reduce the glucose level.
A nurse is teaching a client with diabetes mellitus about self-management of his condition. The nurse should instruct the client to administer 1 unit of insulin for every: 10 g of carbohydrates. 15 g of carbohydrates. 20 g of carbohydrates. 25 g of carbohydrates.
15 g of carbohydrates. Explanation: The nurse should instruct the client to administer 1 unit of insulin for every 15 g of carbohydrates.
What is the duration of regular insulin? 4 to 6 hours 3 to 5 hours 12 to 16 hours 24 hours
4 to 6 hours Explanation: The duration of regular insulin is 4 to 6 hours; 3 to 5 hours is the duration for rapid-acting insulin such as Novolog. The duration of NPH insulin is 12 to 16 hours. The duration of Lantus insulin is 24 hours.
The nurse expects that a type 1 diabetic patient may receive what percentage of his or her usual morning dose of insulin preoperatively? 10% to 20% 25% to 40% 50% to 60% 85% to 90%
50% to 60% Explanation: One half to two thirds of the patient's usual morning dose of insulin (either intermediate-acting insulin alone or both short- and intermediate-acting insulins) is administered subcutaneously in the morning before surgery. The remainder is then administered after surgery.
Every morning, a client with type 1 diabetes receives 15 units of Humulin 70/30. What does this type of insulin contain? 70 units of neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin and 30 units of regular insulin 70 units of regular insulin and 30 units of NPH insulin 70% NPH insulin and 30% regular insulin 70% regular insulin and 30% NPH insulin
70% NPH insulin and 30% regular insulin Explanation: Humulin 70/30 insulin is a combination of 70% NPH insulin and 30% regular insulin.
A client is receiving insulin lispro at 7:30 AM. The nurse ensures that the client has breakfast by which time? 7:45 AM 8:00 AM 8:15 AM 8:30 AM
7:45 AM Explanation: Insulin lispro has an onset of 5 to 15 minutes. Therefore, the nurse would need to ensure that the client has his breakfast by 7:45 AM at the latest. Otherwise, the client may experience hypoglycemia.
A health care provider prescribes short-acting insulin for a patient, instructing the patient to take the insulin 20 to 30 minutes before a meal. The nurse explains to the patient that Humulin-R taken at 6:30 AM will reach peak effectiveness by: 8:30 AM. 10:30 AM. 12:30 PM. 2:30 PM.
8:30 AM. Explanation: Short-acting insulin reaches its peak effectiveness 2 to 3 hours after administration. See Table 30-3 in the text.
A nurse is teaching a client about insulin infusion pump use. What intervention should the nurse include to prevent infection at the injection site? Change the needle every 3 days. Wear sterile gloves when inserting the needle. Take the ordered antibiotics before initiating treatment. Use clean technique when changing the needle.
Change the needle every 3 days. Explanation: The nurse should teach the client to change the needle every 3 days to prevent infection. The client doesn't need to wear gloves when inserting the needle. Antibiotic therapy isn't necessary before initiating treatment. Sterile technique, not clean technique, is needed when changing the needle.
Which information should be included in the teaching plan for a client receiving glargine, a "peakless" basal insulin? Administer the total daily dosage in two doses. Draw up the drug first, then add regular insulin. It is rapidly absorbed and has a fast onset of action. Do not mix with other insulins.
Do not mix with other insulins. Explanation: Because glargine is in a suspension with a pH of 4, it cannot be mixed with other insulins because this would cause precipitation. When administering glargine insulin, it is very important to read the label carefully and to avoid mistaking Lantus insulin for Lente insulin and vice versa.
The nurse is caring for a client receiving insulin isophane suspension (NPH) at breakfast. What is an important dietary consideration for the nurse to keep in mind? Make sure breakfast is not delayed. Provide fewest amount of carbohydrates at lunch meal. Encourage midday snack. Delay dinner meal.
Encourage midday snack. Explanation: Because NPH is an intermediate-acting insulin that peaks in approximately 4 to 10 hours, a midday snack should be included in daily calorie intake to avoid hypoglycemia. NPH insulin has no immediate effects. Carbohydrates are distributed throughout the meal plan of diabetics to avoid highs and lows. Delaying dinner meal is not indicated with NPH insulin use
A nurse is teaching a client with type 1 diabetes how to treat adverse reactions to insulin. To reverse hypoglycemia, the client ideally should ingest an oral carbohydrate. However, this treatment isn't always possible or safe. Therefore, the nurse should advise the client to keep which alternate treatment on hand? Epinephrine Glucagon 50% dextrose Hydrocortisone
Glucagon Explanation: During a hypoglycemic reaction, a layperson may administer glucagon, an antihypoglycemic agent, to raise the blood glucose level quickly in a client who can't ingest an oral carbohydrate. Epinephrine isn't a treatment for hypoglycemia. Although 50% dextrose is used to treat hypoglycemia, it must be administered I.V. by a skilled health care professional. Hydrocortisone takes a relatively long time to raise the blood glucose level and therefore isn't effective in reversing hypoglycemia.
A patient is prescribed Glucophage, an oral antidiabetic agent classified as a biguanide. The nurse knows that a primary action of this drug is its ability to: Stimulate the beta cells of the pancreas to secrete insulin. Decrease the body's sensitivity to insulin. Inhibit the production of glucose by the liver. Increase the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestines.
Inhibit the production of glucose by the liver. Explanation: The action of the biguanides can be found in Table 30-6 in the text.
A nurse explains to a client that she will administer his first insulin dose in his abdomen. How does absorption at the abdominal site compare with absorption at other sites? Insulin is absorbed more slowly at abdominal injection sites than at other sites. Insulin is absorbed rapidly regardless of the injection site. Insulin is absorbed more rapidly at abdominal injection sites than at other sites. Insulin is absorbed unpredictably at all injection sites.
Insulin is absorbed more rapidly at abdominal injection sites than at other sites. Explanation: Subcutaneous insulin is absorbed most rapidly at abdominal injection sites, more slowly at sites on the arms, and slowest at sites on the anterior thigh. Absorption after injection in the buttocks is less predictable.
A young adult client with type 1 diabetes does not want to have to self-administer insulin injections several times a day. Which medication approach would the nurse recommend that best controls the condition and meets the client's needs? Insulin pump 1 injection per day 2 injections premixed Injection before each meal
Insulin pump Explanation: The insulin pump most closely mimics regular pancreas function and increases meal and exercise flexibility. The use of the pump would meet the client's needs of not wanting to self-administer several injections of insulin every day. With one injection per day, there is difficulty controlling fasting blood glucose if the type of insulin does not last. The client could also develop afternoon hypoglycemia if the single dose is increased in order to control the morning fasting glucose level. Two injections per day might meet the client's needs of minimal self-injections; however, for this regimen, there needs to be a fixed schedule of meals and exercise and it is difficult to adjust the dose if premixed insulin is used. Self-administering insulin before each meal will not meet the client's needs since this requires more injections than any other regimen.
Which statement is correct regarding glargine insulin? Its peak action occurs in 2 to 3 hours. It cannot be mixed with any other type of insulin. It is absorbed rapidly. It is given twice daily.
It cannot be mixed with any other type of insulin. Explanation: Because this insulin is in a suspension with a pH of 4, it cannot be mixed with other insulins because this would cause precipitation. There is no peak in action. It is approved to give once daily.
Which type of insulin acts most quickly? Regular NPH Lispro Glargine
Lispro Explanation: The onset of action of rapid-acting lispro is within 10 to 15 minutes. The onset of action of short-acting regular insulin is 30 minutes to 1 hour. The onset of action of intermediate-acting NPH insulin is 3 to 4 hours. The onset of action of very long-acting glargine is ~6 hours.
A client with diabetes is receiving an oral antidiabetic agent that acts to help the tissues use available insulin more efficiently. Which of the following agents would the nurse expect to administer? Metformin Glyburide Repaglinide Glipizide
Metformin Explanation: Metformin is a biguanide and along with the thiazolidinediones (rosiglitazone and pioglitazone) are categorized as insulin sensitizers; they help tissues use available insulin more efficiently. Glyburide and glipizide which are sulfonylureas, and repaglinide, a meglitinide, are described as being insulin releasers because they stimulate the pancreas to secrete more insulin.
The nurse is preparing to administer intermediate-acting insulin to a patient with diabetes. Which insulin will the nurse administer? NPH Iletin II Lispro (Humalog) Glargine (Lantus)
NPH Explanation: Intermediate-acting insulins are called NPH insulin (neutral protamine Hagedorn) or Lente insulin. Lispro (Humalog) is rapid acting, Iletin II is short acting, and glargine (Lantus) is very long acting.
What is the only insulin that can be given intravenously? Regular NPH Lantus Ultralente
Regular Explanation: Insulins other than regular are in suspensions that could be harmful if administered IV.
A client with diabetes mellitus has a prescription for 5 units of U-100 regular insulin and 25 units of U-100 isophane insulin suspension (NPH) to be taken before breakfast. At about 4:30 p.m., the client experiences headache, sweating, tremor, pallor, and nervousness. What is the most probable cause of these signs and symptoms? Serum glucose level of 450 mg/dl Serum glucose level of 52 mg/dl Serum calcium level of 8.9 mg/dl Serum calcium level of 10.2 mg/dl
Serum glucose level of 52 mg/dl Explanation: Headache, sweating, tremor, pallor, and nervousness typically result from hypoglycemia, an insulin reaction in which serum glucose level drops below 70 mg/dl. Hypoglycemia may occur 4 to 18 hours after administration of isophane insulin suspension or insulin zinc suspension (Lente), which are intermediate-acting insulins. Although hypoglycemia may occur at any time, it usually precedes meals. Hyperglycemia, in which serum glucose level is above 180 mg/dl, causes such early manifestations as fatigue, malaise, drowsiness, polyuria, and polydipsia. A serum calcium level of 8.9 mg/dl or 10.2 mg/dl is within normal range and wouldn't cause the client's symptoms.
Which category of oral antidiabetic agents exerts the primary action by directly stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin? Thiazolidinediones Biguanides Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors Sulfonylureas
Sulfonylureas Explanation: A functioning pancreas is necessary for sulfonylureas to be effective. Thiazolidinediones enhance insulin action at the receptor site without increasing insulin secretion from the beta cells of the pancreas. Biguanides facilitate the action of insulin on peripheral receptor sites. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors delay the absorption of glucose in the intestinal system, resulting in a lower postprandial blood glucose level.
A nurse is preparing to administer two types of insulin to a client with diabetes mellitus. What is the correct procedure for preparing this medication? The short-acting insulin is withdrawn before the intermediate-acting insulin. The intermediate-acting insulin is withdrawn before the short-acting insulin. Different types of insulin are not to be mixed in the same syringe. If administered immediately, there is no requirement for withdrawing one type of insulin before another.
The short-acting insulin is withdrawn before the intermediate-acting insulin. Explanation: When combining two types of insulin in the same syringe, the short-acting regular insulin is withdrawn into the syringe first and the intermediate-acting insulin is added next. This practice is referred to as "clear to cloudy."
A client receives a daily injection of glargine insulin at 7:00 a.m. When should the nurse monitor this client for a hypoglycemic reaction? Between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. Between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. Between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. This insulin has no peak action and does not cause a hypoglycemic reaction.
This insulin has no peak action and does not cause a hypoglycemic reaction. Explanation: "Peakless" basal or very long-acting insulins are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use as a basal insulin; that is, the insulin is absorbed very slowly over 24 hours and can be given once a day. It has is no peak action.
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is being taught about self-injection of insulin. Which fact about site rotation should the nurse include in the teaching? Avoid the abdomen because absorption there is irregular. Choose a different site at random for each injection. Rotate sites from area to area every other day. Use all available injection sites within one area.
Use all available injection sites within one area. Explanation: Systematic rotation of injection sites within an anatomic area is recommended to prevent localized changes in fatty tissue. To promote consistency in insulin absorption, the client should be encouraged to use all available injection sites within one area rather than randomly rotating sites from area to area.
The nurse is teaching a client about self-administration of insulin and about mixing regular and neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin. Which information is important to include in the teaching plan? If two different types of insulin are ordered, they need to be given in separate injections. When mixing insulin, the NPH insulin is drawn up into the syringe first. When mixing insulin, the regular insulin is drawn up into the syringe first. There is no need to inject air into the bottle of insulin before withdrawing the insulin.
When mixing insulin, the regular insulin is drawn up into the syringe first. Explanation: When rapid-acting or short-acting insulins are to be given simultaneously with longer-acting insulins, they are usually mixed together in the same syringe; the longer-acting insulins must be mixed thoroughly before being drawn into the syringe. The American Diabetic Association recommends that the regular insulin be drawn up first. The most important issues are that patients (1) are consistent in technique, so the wrong dose is not drawn in error or the wrong type of insulin, and (2) do not inject one type of insulin into the bottle containing a different type of insulin. Injecting cloudy insulin into a vial of clear insulin contaminates the entire vial of clear insulin and alters its action.
