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A 28-year-old pregnant woman is spilling sugar in her urine. The physician orders a glucose tolerance test, which reveals gestational diabetes. The patient is shocked by the diagnosis, stating that she is conscientious about her health, and asks the nurse what causes gestational diabetes. The nurse should explain that gestational diabetes is a result of what etiologic factor?
- A. Increased caloric intake during the first trimester
- B. Changes in osmolality and fluid balance
- C. The effects of hormonal changes during pregnancy
- D. Overconsumption of carbohydrates during the first two trimesters
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperglycemia and eventual gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy because of the secretion of placental hormones, which causes insulin resistance. The disease is not the result of food intake or changes in osmolality.
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A patient with a longstanding diagnosis of type 1 diabetes has a history of poor glycemic control. The nurse recognizes the need to assess the patient for signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy constitutes a risk for what nursing diagnosis?
- A. Infection
- B. Acute pain
- C. Acute confusion
- D. Impaired urinary elimination
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Decreased sensations of pain and temperature place patients with neuropathy at increased risk for injury and undetected foot infections. The neurologic changes associated with peripheral neuropathy do not normally result in pain, confusion, or impairments in urinary function.
An older adult patient with type 2 diabetes is brought to the emergency department by his daughter. The patient is found to have a blood glucose level of 623 mg/dL. The patients daughter reports that the patient recently had a gastrointestinal virus and has been confused for the last 3 hours. The diagnosis of hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) is made. What nursing action would be a priority?
- A. Administration of antihypertensive medications
- B. Administering sodium bicarbonate intravenously
- C. Reversing acidosis by administering insulin
- D. Fluid and electrolyte replacement
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The overall approach to HHS includes fluid replacement, correction of electrolyte imbalances, and insulin administration. Antihypertensive medications are not indicated, as hypotension generally accompanies HHS due to dehydration. Sodium bicarbonate is not administered to patients with HHS, as their plasma bicarbonate level is usually normal. Insulin administration plays a less important role in the treatment of HHS because it is not needed for reversal of acidosis, as in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
A diabetes nurse is assessing a patients knowledge of self-care skills. What would be the most appropriate way for the educator to assess the patients knowledge of nutritional therapy in diabetes?
- A. Ask the patient to describe an optimally healthy meal.
- B. Ask the patient to keep a food diary and review it with the nurse.
- C. Ask the patients family what he typically eats.
- D. Ask the patient to describe a typical days food intake.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reviewing the patients actual food intake is the most accurate method of gauging the patients diet.
A diabetes nurse educator is presenting the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommendations for levels of caloric intake. What do the ADAs recommendations include?
- A. 10% of calories from carbohydrates, 50% from fat, and the remaining 40% from protein
- B. 10% to 20% of calories from carbohydrates, 20% to 30% from fat, and the remaining 50% to 60% from protein
- C. 20% to 30% of calories from carbohydrates, 50% to 60% from fat, and the remaining 10% to 20% from protein
- D. 50% to 60% of calories from carbohydrates, 20% to 30% from fat, and the remaining 10% to 20% from protein
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Currently, the ADA and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) recommend that for all levels of caloric intake, 50% to 60% of calories come from carbohydrates, 20% to 30% from fat, and the remaining 10% to 20% from protein.
A patient presents to the clinic complaining of symptoms that suggest diabetes. What criteria would support checking blood levels for the diagnosis of diabetes?
- A. Fasting plasma glucose greater than or equal to 126 mg/dL
- B. Random plasma glucose greater than 150 mg/dL
- C. Fasting plasma glucose greater than 116 mg/dL on 2 separate occasions
- D. Random plasma glucose greater than 126 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes include symptoms of diabetes plus random plasma glucose greater than or equal to 200 mg/dL, or a fasting plasma glucose greater than or equal to 126 mg/dL.