Chapter 31: The Child with Endocrine Dysfunction

Manifestations of hypoglycemia include which of the following? a. Lethargy b. Thirst c. Nausea and vomiting d. Shaky feeling and dizziness

ANS: D Some of the clinical manifestations of hypoglycemia include shaky feelings; dizziness; difficulty concentrating, speaking, focusing, or coordinating; sweating; and pallor.

What clinical manifestation occurs with hypoglycemia? a. Lethargy b. Confusion c. Nausea and vomiting d. Weakness and dizziness

ANS: D Some of the clinical manifestations of hypoglycemia include weakness; dizziness; difficulty concentrating, speaking, focusing, and coordinating; sweating; and pallor. Lethargy, confusion, and nausea and vomiting are manifestations of hyperglycemia

A child eats some sugar cubes after experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia. This rapid-releasing sugar should be followed by which of the following? a. Fat b. Fruit juice c. Several glasses of water d. Complex carbohydrate and protein

ANS: D Symptoms of hypoglycemia are treated with a rapid-releasing sugar source followed by a complex carbohydrate and protein.

A 12-year-old girl is newly diagnosed with diabetes when she develops ketoacidosis. How should the nurse structure a successful education program? a. Essential information is presented initially. b. Teaching should take place in the child's semiprivate room. c. Education is focused toward the parents because the child is too young. d. All information needed for self-management of diabetes is taught at once.

ANS: A Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes can be traumatic for the child and family. Most families are not psychologically ready for the complex teaching that is needed for self-management. Most structured diabetes education programs begin with essential or survival information followed by the complex background material when the family is better able to learn. Teaching can take place either as an outpatient or as an inpatient. The actual teaching area should be free from distractions that would interfere with learning. A semiprivate room would have many individuals entering and leaving the room, causing distraction. A 12-year-old child who is cognitively age appropriate needs to be included in the educational process. Most children older than the age of 8 years can be involved in blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration. Teaching all information needed for self-management of diabetes at once would be too overwhelming for a family in crisis.

During the summer many children are more physically active. What changes in the management of the child with diabetes should be expected as a result of more exercise? a. increase food intake b. decrease food intake c. increase risk of hyperglycemia d. decrease risk of insulin reaction

ANS: A Exercise is encouraged and never restricted unless indicated by other health conditions. Exercise lowers blood glucose levels, depending on the intensity and duration of the activity. Consequently, exercise should be included as part of diabetes management, and the type and amount of exercise should be planned around the child's interests and capabilities. However, in most instances, children's activities are unplanned, and the resulting decrease in blood glucose can be compensated for by providing extra snacks before (and, if the exercise is prolonged, during) the activity. In addition to a feeling of well-being, regular exercise aids in utilization of food and often results in a reduction of insulin requirements.

A school-age child with diabetes gets 30 units of NPH insulin at 0800. According to when this insulin peaks, the child should be at greatest risk for a hypoglycemic episode between when? a. Lunch and dinner b. Breakfast and lunch c. 0830 to his midmorning snack d. Bedtime and breakfast the next morning

ANS: A Intermediate-acting (NPH and Lente) insulins reach the blood 2 to 6 hours after injection. The insulins peak 4 to 14 hours later and stay in the blood for about 14 to 20 hours

What form of diabetes is characterized by destruction of pancreatic beta cells, resulting in insulin deficiency? a. Type 1 diabetes b. Type 2 diabetes c. Gestational diabetes d. Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY)

ANS: A Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the destruction of the pancreatic beta cells, which leads to absolute insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes results usually from insulin resistance. The pancreatic beta cells are not destroyed in gestational diabetes. MODY is an autosomal dominant monogenetic defect in beta cell function that is characterized by impaired insulin secretion with minimum or no defects in insulin action.

A preadolescent has maintained good glycemic control of his type 1 diabetes through the school year. During summer vacation, he has had repeated episodes of hypoglycemia. What additional teaching is needed? a. Carbohydrates in the diet need to be replaced with protein. b. Additional snacks are needed to compensate for increased activity. c. The child needs to decrease his activity level to minimize episodes of hypoglycemia. d. Insulin dosage should be increased to compensate for a change in activity level.

ANS: B Most children have a different schedule during summer vacation. The increased activity and exercise reduce insulin resistance and increase glucose utilization. Additional snacks should be eaten before physical activity to increase carbohydrates and protein and compensate for increased activity. Physical activity should always be encouraged if the child is capable. The benefits include improved glucose utilization and decreased insulin requirements. In consultation with the practitioner, insulin dosage may need to be decreased because of improved glucose utilization.

The nurse is caring for an 11-year-old boy who has recently been diagnosed with diabetes. Which of the following should be included in the teaching plan for daily injections? a. The parents do not need to learn the procedure. b. He is old enough to give most of his own injections. c. Self-injections will be possible when he is closer to adolescence. d. He can learn about self-injections when he is able to reach all injection sites.

ANS: B School-age children are able to give their own injections.

The nurse is teaching the parent of a preschool child how to administer the child's insulin injection. The child will be receiving 2 units of regular insulin and 12 units of NPH insulin every morning. What should the parent be taught? a. Draw the insulin in separate syringes. b. Draw the regular insulin first and then the NPH into the same syringe. c. Draw the NPH insulin first and then the regular into the same syringe. d. Check blood sugar first, and if below 120, hold the regular insulin and give the NPH.

ANS: B To obtain maximum benefit from mixing insulins, the recommended practice is to (1) inject the measured amount of air (equivalent to the dosage) into the long-acting insulin; (2) inject the measured amount of air into the rapid-acting (clear) insulin and, without removing the needle; (3) withdraw the clear insulin; and (4) insert the needle (already containing the clear insulin) into the long-acting (cloudy) insulin and then withdraw the desired amount. The blood sugar may be checked before giving the insulin, but the prescribed dose should not be withheld if the blood sugar is 120.

The parents of a child who has just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes ask about exercise. The nurse should explain that: a. exercise will increase blood glucose. b. exercise should be restricted. c. extra snacks are needed before exercise. d. extra insulin is required during exercise.

ANS: C Exercise lowers blood glucose levels, which can be compensated for by extra snacks.

To help an adolescent deal with diabetes, the nurse needs to consider which characteristic of adolescence? a. Desire to be unique b. Preoccupation with the future c. Need to be perfect and similar to peers d. Awareness of peers that diabetes is a severe disease

ANS: C Adolescence is a time when the individual has a need to be perfect and similar to peers. Having diabetes makes adolescents different from their peers. Adolescents do not wish to be unique; they desire to fit in with the peer group. An adolescent is usually not future oriented. Awareness of peers that diabetes is a severe disease would further alienate the adolescent with diabetes. The peer group would focus on the differences

A parent asks the nurse why self-monitoring of blood glucose is being recommended for her child with diabetes. The nurse should base the explanation on which of the following? a. It is a less expensive method of testing. b. It is not as accurate as laboratory testing. c. Children are better able to manage the diabetes. d. The parents are better able to manage the disease.

ANS: C Blood glucose self-management has improved diabetes management and can be used successfully by children from the time of diagnosis. Insulin dosages can be adjusted based on blood glucose results.

The parents of a child who has just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes ask about exercise. What effect does exercise have on a type 1 diabetic? a. Exercise increases blood glucose. b. Extra insulin is required during exercise. c. Additional snacks are needed before exercise. d. Excessive physical activity should be restricted.

ANS: C Exercise lowers blood glucose levels, decreasing the need for insulin. Extra snacks are provided to maintain the blood glucose levels. Exercise is encouraged and not restricted unless indicated by other health conditions.

Which of the following is characteristic of the immune-mediated type 1 diabetes mellitus? a. Ketoacidosis is infrequent. b. Onset is gradual. c. Age at onset is usually younger than 20 years. d. Oral agents are often effective for treatment.

ANS: C The immune-mediated type 1 diabetes mellitus typically has its onset in children or young adults.

A 20-kg (44-lb) child in ketoacidosis is admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. What order should the nurse not implement until clarified with the physician? a. Weigh on admission and daily. b. Replace fluid volume deficit over 48 hours. c. Begin intravenous line with D5 0.45% normal saline with 20 mEq of potassium chloride. d. Give intravenous regular insulin 2 units/kg/hr after initial rehydration bolus.

ANS: C The initial hydrating solution is 0.9% normal saline. Potassium is not given until the child is voiding 25 ml/hr, demonstrating adequate renal function. After initial rehydration and insulin administration, then potassium is given. Dextrose is not given until blood glucose levels are between 250 and 300 mg/dl. An accurate, current weight is essential for determination of the amount of fluid loss and as a basis for medication dosage. Replacing fluid volume deficit over 48 hours is the current recommendation in diabetic ketoacidosis in children. Cerebral edema is a risk of more rapid administration. Intravenous regular insulin 2 units/kg/hr after initial rehydration bolus is the recommended insulin administration for a child of this weight. Only regular insulin can be given intravenously, and it is given after initial fluid volume expansion

An adolescent diabetic is admitted to the emergency department for treatment of hyperglycemia and pneumonia. What are characteristics of diabetic hyperglycemia? a. Cold, clammy skin and lethargy b. Hunger and hypertension c. Thirst, being flushed, and fruity breath d. Disorientation and pallor

ANS: C The signs of hyperglycemia are thirst, being flushed, and fruity breath. The skin is not cold or clammy, and there is not hunger and hypertension. Disorientation and pallor are signs of hypoglycemia.

What statement is characteristic of type 1 diabetes mellitus? a. Onset is usually gradual. b. Ketoacidosis is infrequent. c. Peak age incidence is 10 to 15 years. d. Oral agents are available for treatment.

ANS: C Type 1 diabetes mellitus typically usually has its onset before the age of 20 years, with a peak incidence between ages 10 and 15 years. Type 1 has an abrupt onset, in contrast to type 2, which has a more gradual appearance. Ketoacidosis occurs when insulin is unavailable and the body uses sources other than glucose for cellular metabolism. Ketoacidosis is more common in type 1 diabetes than in type 2. At this time, oral agents are available only for type 2 diabetes.

The nurse is teaching an adolescent about giving insulin injections. The adolescent asks if the disposable needles and syringes can be used more than once. The nurse's response should be based on which knowledge? a. It is unsafe. b. It is acceptable for up to 24 hours. c. It is acceptable for families with very limited resources. d. It is suitable for up to 3 days if stored in the refrigerator.

ANS: D Bacterial counts are unaffected if insulin syringes are handled in an aseptic manner and stored in the refrigerator between use. The syringes can be used up to 3 days and result in a considerable cost savings. Bacterial counts remain low for up to 72 hours with proper technique. The family's resources are not an issue; if a practice is unsafe, the family should not be encouraged to endanger the child by reusing equipment.

What blood glucose measurement is most likely associated with diabetic ketoacidosis? a. 185 mg/dl b. 220 mg/dl c. 280 mg/dl d. 330 mg/dl

ANS: D Diabetic ketoacidosis is a state of relative insulin insufficiency and may include the presence of hyperglycemia, a blood glucose level greater than or equal to 330 mg/dl; 185, 220, and 280 mg/dl are values that are too low for the definition of ketoacidosis.

What statement applies to the current focus of the dietary management of children with diabetes? a. Measurement of all servings of food is vital for control. b. Daily calculate specific amounts of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. c. The number of calories for carbohydrates remains constant on a daily basis; protein and fat calories are liberal. d. The intake ensures day-to-day consistency in total calories, protein, carbohydrates, and moderate fat while allowing for a wide variety of foods.

ANS: D Essentially the nutritional needs of children with diabetes are no different from those of healthy children. Children with diabetes need no special foods or supplements. They need sufficient calories to balance daily expenditure for energy and to satisfy the requirement for growth and development.

What clinical manifestation is considered a cardinal sign of diabetes mellitus? a. Nausea b. Seizures c. Impaired vision d. Frequent urination

ANS: D Hallmarks of diabetes mellitus are glycosuria, polyuria, and polydipsia. Nausea and seizures are not clinical manifestations of diabetes mellitus. Impaired vision is a long-term complication of the disease.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is suspected in an adolescent. Which of the following clinical manifestations may be present? a. Moist skin b. Weight gain c. Fluid overload d. Poor wound healing

ANS: D Poor wound healing may be present in an individual with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

A child eats some sugar cubes after experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia. This rapid-releasing sugar should be followed by which dietary intervention? a. Sports drink and fruit b. Glucose tabs and protein c. Glass of water and crackers d. Milk and peanut butter on bread

ANS: D Symptoms of hypoglycemia are treated with a rapid-releasing sugar source followed by a complex carbohydrate and protein. Milk supplies lactose and a more prolonged action from the protein. The bread is a complex carbohydrate, which with the peanut butter provides a sustained action. The sports drink contains primarily simple carbohydrates. The fruit contains additional carbohydrates. A protein source is needed for sustained action. The glucose tabs are simple carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are needed with the protein. Crackers are a complex carbohydrate, but protein is needed to stabilize the blood sugar.

The nurse is discussing with a child and family the various sites used for insulin injections. What site usually has the fastest rate of absorption? a. Arm b. Leg c. Buttock d. Abdomen

ANS: D The abdomen has the fastest rate of absorption but the shortest duration. The arm has a fast rate of absorption but a short duration. The leg has a slow rate of absorption but a long duration. The buttock has the slowest rate of absorption and the longest duration

The parent of a child with diabetes mellitus asks the nurse when urine testing will be necessary. The nurse should explain that urine testing for: a. glucose is needed before administration of insulin. b. glucose is needed four times a day. c. glycosylated hemoglobin is required. d. ketonuria should be done when it is suspected.

ANS: D Urine testing is still performed to detect evidence of ketonuria.