Medsurg: Ch 51: caring for clients with diabetes mellitus

Glycosylated hemoglobin reflects blood glucose concentrations over which period of time?

3 months

A visiting nurse is setting up an insulin schedule for an older adult who has diabetes mellitus. What should the nurse consider when determining the dosing time?

client's eating and sleeping habits

An adult client has gained 55 lbs in the last 3 years. During client education, the nurse should educate the client about:

the risk of type 2 diabetes.

A patient is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. What clinical characteristics does the nurse expect to see in this patient? Select all that apply.

Ketosis-prone Little or no endogenous insulin Younger than 30 years of age

A newly admitted client with type 1 diabetes asks the nurse what caused her diabetes. When the nurse is explaining to the client the etiology of type 1 diabetes, what process should the nurse describe?

"Destruction of special cells in the pancreas causes a decrease in insulin production. Glucose levels rise because insulin normally breaks it down."

When referred to a podiatrist, a client newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus asks, "Why do you need to check my feet when I'm having a problem with my blood sugar?" The nurse's most helpful response to this statement is:

"Diabetes can affect sensation in your feet and you can hurt yourself without realizing it."

A diabetes educator is teaching a client about type 2 diabetes. The educator recognizes that the client understands the primary treatment for type 2 diabetes when the client states what?

"I will make sure to follow the weight loss plan designed by the dietitian."

A diabetic educator is discussing "sick day rules" with a newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic. The educator is aware that the client will require further teaching when the client states what?

"I will not take my insulin on the days when I am sick, but I will certainly check my blood sugar every 2 hours."

A client with type 2 diabetes has recently been prescribed acarbose, and the nurse is explaining how to take this medication. The teaching is determined to be effective based on which statement by the client?

"I will take this medication in the morning, with my first bite of breakfast."

A client with type 1 diabetes has a highly elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb) test result. In discussing the result with the client, the nurse is most accurate in stating:

"It tells us about your sugar control for the last 3 months."

A client newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus asks why he needs ketone testing when the disease affects his blood glucose levels. How should the nurse respond?

"Ketones will tell us if your body is using other tissues for energy."

The health care provider has explained to a client that the client has developed diabetic neuropathy in his right foot. Later that day, the client asks the nurse what causes diabetic neuropathy. What would be the nurse's best response?

"The cause is not known for sure but it is thought to involve elevated blood glucose levels over a period of years."

* 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 medical nurse is caring for a client with type 1 diabetes. The client's medication administration record includes the administration of regular insulin three times daily. Knowing that the client's lunch tray will arrive at 11:45 AM, when should the nurse administer the client's insulin?

11:15 AM

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 has received a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. The diabetes nurse has made contact with the client and will implement a program of health education. What is the nurse's priority action?

Assess the client's readiness to learn.

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 is admitted with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS). Which laboratory finding should the nurse expect in this client?

Blood glucose level 1,100 mg/dl

Which clinical manifestation of type 2 diabetes occurs if glucose levels are very high?

Blurred vision

A 15-year-old child is brought to the emergency department with symptoms of hyperglycemia. Based on the fact that the child's pancreatic beta cells are being destroyed, the client would be diagnosed with what type of diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes

Which of the following is a characteristic of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)? Select all that apply.

Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine Rapid onset More common in type 1 diabetes

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

A student with diabetes tells the school nurse that he is feeling nervous and hungry. The nurse assesses the child and finds he has tachycardia and is diaphoretic with a blood glucose level of 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L). What should the school nurse administer?

Half of a cup of juice, followed by cheese and crackers

A client with diabetes mellitus is receiving an oral antidiabetic agent. The nurse observes for which condition when caring for this client?

Hypoglycemia

When the nurse is caring for a patient with type 1 diabetes, what clinical manifestation would be a priority to closely monitor?

Hypoglycemia

Which combination of adverse effects should a nurse monitor for when administering IV insulin to a client with diabetic ketoacidosis?

Hypokalemia and hypoglycemia

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 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.

NPH is an example of which type of insulin?

Intermediate-acting

Which type of insulin acts most quickly?

Lispro.... The onset of action of rapid-acting lispro is within 10 to 15 minutes

The nurse is educating the patient with diabetes about the importance of increasing dietary fiber. What should the nurse explain is the rationale for the increase? Select all that apply.

May improve blood glucose levels Decrease the need for exogenous insulin Help reduce cholesterol levels

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.... Signs and symptoms associated with hypoglycemia include nervousness, diaphoresis, weakness, light-headedness, confusion, paresthesia, irritability, headache, hunger, tachycardia, and changes in speech, hearing, or vision. If untreated, signs and symptoms may progress to unconsciousness, seizures, coma, and death

A characteristic of type 2 diabetes includes which of the following?

No islet cell antibodies

A nurse is caring for a client with type 1 diabetes who is being discharged home tomorrow. What is the best way to assess the client's ability to prepare and self-administer insulin?

Observe the client drawing up and administering the insulin.

Which clinical characteristic is associated with type 1 diabetes (previously referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus)?

Presence of islet cell antibodies

Lispro (Humalog) is an example of which type of insulin?

Rapid-acting

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

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 52 mg/dl

A client with type 2 diabetes normally achieves adequate glycemic control through diet and exercise. Upon being admitted to the hospital for a cholecystectomy, however, the client has required insulin injections on two occasions. The nurse would identify what likely cause for this short-term change in treatment?

Stress has likely caused an increase in the client's blood sugar levels.

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

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 a 30-year history of type 2 diabetes is having an annual physical and blood work. Which test result would the physician be most concerned with when monitoring the client's treatment compliance?

glycosylated hemoglobin

A client tells the nurse that she has been working hard for the past 3 months to control her type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise. To determine the effectiveness of the client's efforts, the nurse should check:

glycosylated hemoglobin level.

A client with diabetes mellitus has been taking a purified insulin extract for many years. The client's health care provider has recently switched the client's insulin to a human form. What factor should the nurse monitor when caring for this client?

low blood glucose levels

A client has been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and reports continued weight loss despite increased hunger and food consumption. This condition is called:

polyphagia