Chapter 51 Assessment and Management of Patients with Diabetes
Which instruction about insulin administration should a nurse give to a client?
"Always follow the same order when drawing the different insulins into the syringe."
After teaching a client with type 1 diabetes, who is scheduled to undergo an islet cell transplant, which client statement indicates successful teaching?
"I might need insulin later on but probably not as much or as often."
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'm going to give your son some insulin. Then I'll be happy to talk with you."
A client with diabetes mellitus is receiving an oral antidiabetic agent. The nurse observes for which symptom when caring for this client?
Hypoglycemia
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?
"Rotate injection sites within the same anatomic region, not among different regions."
Which instruction should a nurse give to a client with diabetes mellitus when teaching about "sick day rules"?
"Test your blood glucose every 4 hours."
A 16-year-old client newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes has a very low body weight despite eating regular meals. The client is upset because friends frequently state, "You look anorexic." Which statement by the nurse would be the best response to help this client understand the cause of weight loss due to this condition?
"Your body is using protein and fat for energy instead of glucose."
A physician orders blood glucose levels every 4 hours for a 4-year-old child with brittle type 1 diabetes. The parents are worried that drawing so much blood will traumatize their child. How can the nurse best reassure the parents?
"Your child will need less blood work as his glucose levels stabilize."
A nurse is caring for an elderly patient who has type 2 diabetes mellitus. She suspects that the patient is exhibiting symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) instead of hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS). Which of the following are indicators of a diagnosis of DKA? Select all that apply.
- Blood glucose level of 280 mg/dL - Arterial pH of 7 - Plasma bicarbonate level of 13 mEq/L
A client with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose level of 40 mg/dL. Which rapidly absorbed carbohydrate would be most effective?
1/2 cup fruit juice or regular soft drink
An agitated, confused client arrives in the emergency department. The client's history includes type 1 diabetes, hypertension, and angina pectoris. Assessment reveals pallor, diaphoresis, headache, and intense hunger. A stat blood glucose sample measures 42 mg/dl, and the client is treated for an acute hypoglycemic reaction. After recovery, the nurse teaches the client to treat hypoglycemia by ingesting:
10 to 15 g of a simple carbohydrate.
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
A nurse is aware that insulin secretion increases 3 to 5 minutes after a meal and then returns to baseline. If a patient ate breakfast at 7:30 AM, the nurse would expect a baseline level by:
10:30 AM
A 6 months' pregnant patient was evaluated for gestational diabetes mellitus. The doctor considered prescribing insulin based on the serum glucose result of:
138 mg/dL, 2 hours postprandial.
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:
15 g of carbohydrates.
A nurse is caring for a client with type 1 diabetes who exhibits confusion, light-headedness, and aberrant behavior. The client is conscious. The nurse should first administer:
15 to 20 g of a fast-acting carbohydrate such as orange juice.
A client who is suspected of having diabetes is undergoing a postprandial glucose test. Which result would the nurse interpret as suggestive of diabetes?
160 mg/dL
What is the duration of regular insulin?
4 to 6 hours
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.
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?
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?
Which statement is true regarding gestational diabetes?
A glucose challenge test should be performed between 24 to 28 weeks.
When administering insulin to a client with type 1 diabetes, which of the following would be most important for the nurse to keep in mind?
Accuracy of the dosage
A hospitalized client is found to be comatose and hypoglycemic with a blood sugar of 50 mg/dL. Which of the following would the nurse do first?
Administer 50% glucose intravenously.
A client with type 1 diabetes presents with a decreased level of consciousness and a fingerstick glucose level of 39 mg/dl. His family reports that he has been skipping meals in an effort to lose weight. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
Administering 1 ampule of 50% dextrose solution, per physician's order
A client newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes has an unusual increase in blood glucose from bedtime to morning. The physician suspects the client is experiencing insulin waning. Based on this diagnosis, the nurse expects which change to the client's medication regimen?
Administering a dose of intermediate-acting insulin before the evening meal
A nurse is caring for a diabetic patient with a diagnosis of nephropathy. What would the nurse expect the urinalysis report to indicate?
Albumin
A client has been diagnosed with prediabetes and discusses treatment strategies with the nurse. What can be the consequences of untreated prediabetes?
All options are correct.
A child is brought into the emergency department with vomiting, drowsiness, and blowing respirations. The father reports that the symptoms have been progressing throughout the day. The nurse suspects diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which action should the nurse take first in the management of DKA?
Begin fluid replacements.
A nurse expects to note an elevated serum glucose level in a client with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS). Which other laboratory finding should the nurse anticipate?
Below-normal serum potassium level
A client with a serum glucose level of 618 mg/dl is admitted to the facility. He's awake and oriented, has hot dry skin, and has the following vital signs: temperature of 100.6° F (38.1° C), heart rate of 116 beats/minute, and blood pressure of 108/70 mm Hg. Based on these assessment findings, which nursing diagnosis takes highest priority?
Deficient fluid volume related to osmotic diuresis
Insulin is secreted by which of the following types of cells?
Beta cells
Which clinical manifestation of type 2 diabetes occurs if glucose levels are very high?
Blurred vision
The nurse practitioner worked with a registered dietician to customize a 1,800-calorie diabetic diet for a 53-year-old man with special dietary needs. Which of the following percent distribution of calories should be provided?
Carbohydrates 50%, fat 25%, and protein 20%
A client with diabetic ketoacidosis was admitted to the intensive care unit 4 hours ago and has these laboratory results: blood glucose level 450 mg/dl, serum potassium level 2.5 mEq/L, serum sodium level 140 mEq/L, and urine specific gravity 1.025. The client has two I.V. lines in place with normal saline solution infusing through both. Over the past 4 hours, his total urine output has been 50 ml. Which physician order should the nurse question?
Change the second I.V. solution to dextrose 5% in water.
A client with long-standing type 1 diabetes is admitted to the hospital with unstable angina pectoris. After the client's condition stabilizes, the nurse evaluates the diabetes management regimen. The nurse learns that the client sees the physician every 4 weeks, injects insulin after breakfast and dinner, and measures blood glucose before breakfast and at bedtime. Consequently, the nurse should formulate a nursing diagnosis of:
Deficient knowledge (treatment regimen).
An obese Hispanic client, age 65, is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Which statement about diabetes mellitus is true?
Diabetes mellitus is more common in Hispanics and Blacks than in Whites.
A nurse is preparing a client with type 1 diabetes for discharge. The client can care for himself; however, he's had a problem with unstable blood glucose levels in the past. Based on the client's history, he should be referred to which health care worker?
Dietitian
Which information should be included in the teaching plan for a client receiving glargine, a "peakless" basal insulin?
Do not mix with other insulins.
Which is the primary dietary consideration for a client receiving insulin isophane suspension (NPH) at breakfast?
Encourage midday snack.
Which assessment finding is most important in determining nursing care for a client with diabetes mellitus?
Fruity breath
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?
Glucagon
During a follow-up visit 3 months after a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, a client reports exercising and following a reduced-calorie diet. Assessment reveals that the client has only lost 1 pound and did not bring the glucose-monitoring record. Which value should the nurse measure?
Glycosylated hemoglobin level
Which combination of adverse effects should a nurse monitor for when administering I.V. insulin to a client with diabetic ketoacidosis?
Hypokalemia and hypoglycemia
The nurse is educating the client with diabetes on setting up a sick plan to manage blood glucose control during times of minor illness such as influenza. Which is the most important teaching item to include?
Increase frequency of glucose self-monitoring.
A 60-year-old client comes to the ED reporting weakness, vision problems, increased thirst, increased urination, and frequent infections that do not seem to heal easily. The physician suspects that the client has diabetes. Which classic symptom should the nurse watch for to confirm the diagnosis of diabetes?
Increased hunger
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which finding suggests that the client has developed hyperglycemia?
Increased urine output
A patient with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes has been vigilant about glycemic control since being diagnosed and has committed to increasing her knowledge about the disease. To reduce her risk of developing diabetic nephropathy in the future, this patient should combine glycemic control with what other preventative measure?
Maintenance of healthy blood pressure and prompt treatment of hypertension
Which of the following factors would a nurse identify as a most likely cause of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in a client with diabetes?
The client has eaten and has not taken or received insulin.
The client who is managing diabetes through diet and insulin control asks the nurse why exercise is important. Which is the best response by the nurse to support adding exercise to the daily routine?
Increases ability for glucose to get into the cell and lowers blood sugar
A client with type 1 diabetes is admitted to an acute care facility with diabetic ketoacidosis. To correct this acute diabetic emergency, which measure should the health care team take first?
Initiate fluid replacement therapy.
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 rapidly at abdominal injection sites than at other sites.
The nurse is preparing a presentation for a group of adults at a local community center about diabetes. Which of the following would the nurse include as associated with type 2 diabetes?
Insulin production insufficient
NPH is an example of which type of insulin?
Intermediate-acting
Which statement is correct regarding glargine insulin?
It cannot be mixed with any other type of insulin.
The nurse is describing the action of insulin in the body to a client newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Which of the following would the nurse explain as being the primary action?
It carries glucose into body cells.
Which type of insulin acts most quickly?
Lispro
A group of students are reviewing the various types of drugs that are used to treat diabetes mellitus. The students demonstrate understanding of the material when they identify which of the following as an example of an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor?
Miglitol
A client with type 1 diabetes is experiencing polyphagia. The nurse knows to assess for which additional clinical manifestation(s) associated with this classic symptom?
Muscle wasting and tissue loss
The nurse is preparing to administer intermediate-acting insulin to a patient with diabetes. Which insulin will the nurse administer?
NPH
A patient who is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes would be expected to:
Need exogenous insulin.
A nurse expects to find which signs and symptoms in a client experiencing hypoglycemia?
Nervousness, diaphoresis, and confusion
A nurse is teaching a diabetic support group about the causes of type 1 diabetes. The teaching is determined to be effective when the group is able to attribute which factor as a cause of type 1 diabetes?
Presence of autoantibodies against islet cells
Which clinical characteristic is associated with type 1 diabetes (previously referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus)?
Presence of islet cell antibodies
A client who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 14 years ago is admitted to the medical-surgical unit with abdominal pain. On admission, the client's blood glucose level is 470 mg/dl. Which finding is most likely to accompany this blood glucose level?
Rapid, thready pulse
Lispro (Humalog) is an example of which type of insulin?
Rapid-acting
The nurse is explaining glycosylated hemoglobin testing to a diabetic client. Which of the following provides the best reason for this order?
Reflects the amount of glucose stored in hemoglobin over past several months.
A client is admitted to the unit with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which insulin would the nurse expect to administer intravenously?
Regular
What is the only insulin that can be given intravenously?
Regular
A patient has been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and the nurse is assisting with the development of a meal plan. What step should be taken into consideration prior to making the meal plan?
Reviewing the patient's diet history to identify eating habits and lifestyle and cultural eating patterns
The diabetic client asks the nurse why shoes and socks are removed at each office visit. Which assessment finding is most significant in determining the protocol for inspection of feet?
Sensory neuropathy
Laboratory studies indicate a client's blood glucose level is 185 mg/dl. Two hours have passed since the client ate breakfast. Which test would yield the most conclusive diagnostic information about the client's glucose use?
Serum glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1c)
A client with a tentative diagnosis of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS) has a history of type 2 diabetes that is being controlled with an oral diabetic agent, tolazamide (Tolinase). Which laboratory test is the most important for confirming this disorder?
Serum osmolarity
A client with status asthmaticus requires endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Twenty-four hours after intubation, the client is started on the insulin infusion protocol. The nurse must monitor the client's blood glucose levels hourly and watch for which early signs and symptoms associated with hypoglycemia?
Sweating, tremors, and tachycardia
Which may be a potential cause of hypoglycemia in the client diagnosed with diabetes mellitus?
The client has not eaten but continues to take insulin or oral antidiabetic medications.
A male client, aged 42, is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. He visits the gym regularly and is a vegetarian. Which of the following factors is important when assessing the client?
The client's consumption of carbohydrates
The pancreas continues to release a small amount of basal insulin overnight, while a person is sleeping. The nurse knows that, if the body needs more sugar:
The pancreatic hormone glucagon will stimulate the liver to release stored glucose.
A nurse educator been invited to local seniors center to discuss health-maintaining strategies for older adults. The nurse addresses the subject of diabetes mellitus, its symptoms, and consequences. What should the educator teach the participants about type 1 diabetes?
The participants are unlikely to develop a new onset of type 1 diabetes.
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.
A client with type 2 diabetes asks the nurse why he can't have a pancreatic transplant. Which of the following would the nurse include as a possible reason?
Underlying problem of insulin resistance
A client with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes is admitted to the metabolic unit. The primary goal for this admission is education. Which goal should the nurse incorporate into her teaching plan?
Weight reduction through diet and exercise
During a class on exercise for clients with diabetes mellitus, a client asks the nurse educator how often to exercise. To meet the goals of planned exercise, the nurse educator should advise the client to exercise:
at least three times per week.
A nurse is providing dietary instructions to a client with hypoglycemia. To control hypoglycemic episodes, the nurse should recommend:
consuming a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet and avoiding fasting.
A client with a history of type 1 diabetes is demonstrating fast, deep, labored breathing and has fruity odored breath. What could be the cause of the client's current serious condition?
ketoacidosis