A 45-year old female diabetic is displaying signs of irritability and irrational behavior during an office visit. The nurse observes visible tremors in the client's hands. based on the client's history and the nurse's understanding of diabetes mellitus, the nurse interprets these findings to be signs of:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The signs of irritability, irrational behavior, and visible tremors in the hands observed in the 45-year old female diabetic suggest hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels drop below normal levels, causing the body and brain to receive inadequate fuel. This leads to symptoms like irritability, irrational behavior, and tremors, which are signs of the brain not receiving enough glucose for proper functioning. In diabetic patients, particularly those on medications like insulin or certain oral hypoglycemic agents, hypoglycemia can occur if they take too much medication, skip meals, or engage in excessive physical activity without adjusting their treatment regimen. Immediate treatment for hypoglycemia usually involves consuming a rapid source of sugar, such as glucose tablets, juice, or candy, to quickly raise blood sugar levels back to normal range.