Nokea
A diabetes nurse educator is teaching a group of patients with type 1 diabetes about sick day rules. What guideline applies to periods of illness in a diabetic patient?
- A. Do not eliminate insulin when nauseated and vomiting.
- B. Report elevated glucose levels greater than 150 mg/dL.
- C. Eat three substantial meals a day, if possible.
- D. Reduce food intake and insulin doses in times of illness.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most important issue to teach patients with diabetes who become ill is not to eliminate insulin doses when nausea and vomiting occur. Rather, they should take their usual insulin or oral hypoglycemic agent dose, then attempt to consume frequent, small portions of carbohydrates. In general, blood sugar levels will rise but should be reported if they are greater than 300 mg/dL.
You may also like to solve these questions
A diabetic educator is discussing sick day rules with a newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic. The educator is aware that the patient will require further teaching when the patient states what?
- A. I will not take my insulin on the days when I am sick, but I will certainly check my blood sugar every 2 hours.
- B. If I cannot eat a meal, I will eat a soft food such as soup, gelatin, or pudding six to eight times a day.
- C. I will call the doctor if I am not able to keep liquids in my body due to vomiting or diarrhea.
- D. I will call the doctor if my blood sugar is over 300 mg/dL or if I have ketones in my urine.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse must explanation the sick day rules again to the patient who plans to stop taking insulin when sick. The nurse should emphasize that the patient should take insulin agents as usual and test ones blood sugar and urine ketones every 3 to 4 hours. In fact, insulin-requiring patients may need supplemental doses of regular insulin every 3 to 4 hours. The patient should report elevated glucose levels (greater than 300 mg/dL or as otherwise instructed) or urine ketones to the physician. If the patient is not able to eat normally, the patient should be instructed to substitute soft foods such a gelatin, soup, and pudding. If vomiting, diarrhea, or fever persists, the patient should have an intake of liquids every 30 to 60 minutes to prevent dehydration.
A patient with a history of type I diabetes has just been admitted to the critical care unit (CCU) for diabetic ketoacidosis. The CCU nurse should prioritize what assessment during the patients initial phase of treatment?
- A. Monitoring the patient for dysrhythmias
- B. Maintaining and monitoring the patients fluid balance
- C. Assessing the patients level of consciousness
- D. Assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of venous thromboembolism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In addition to treating hyperglycemia, management of DKA is aimed at correcting dehydration, electrolyte loss, and acidosis before correcting the hyperglycemia with insulin. The nurse should monitor the patient for dysrhythmias, decreased LOC and VTE, but restoration and maintenance of fluid balance is the highest priority.
A patient has been brought to the emergency department by paramedics after being found unconscious. The patients Medic Alert bracelet indicates that the patient has type 1 diabetes and the patients blood glucose is 22 mg/dL (1.2 mmol/L). The nurse should anticipate what intervention?
- A. IV administration of 50% dextrose in water
- B. Subcutaneous administration of 10 units of Humalog
- C. Subcutaneous administration of 12 to 15 units of regular insulin
- D. IV bolus of 5% dextrose in 0.45% NaCl
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In hospitals and emergency departments, for patients who are unconscious or cannot swallow, 25 to 50 mL of 50% dextrose in water (D50W) may be administered IV for the treatment of hypoglycemia. Five percent dextrose would be inadequate and insulin would exacerbate the patients condition.
A medical nurse is aware of the need to screen specific patients for their risk of hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS). In what patient population does hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome most often occur?
- A. Patients who are obese and who have no known history of diabetes
- B. Patients with type 1 diabetes and poor dietary control
- C. Adolescents with type 2 diabetes and sporadic use of antihyperglycemics
- D. Middle-aged or older people with either type 2 diabetes or no known history of diabetes
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: HHS occurs most often in older people (50 to 70 years of age) who have no known history of diabetes or who have type 2 diabetes.
A school nurse is teaching a group of high school students about risk factors for diabetes. Which of the following actions has the greatest potential to reduce an individuals risk for developing diabetes?
- A. Have blood glucose levels checked annually.
- B. Stop using tobacco in any form.
- C. Undergo eye examinations regularly.
- D. Lose weight, if obese.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Obesity is a major modifiable risk factor for diabetes. Smoking is not a direct risk factor for the disease. Eye examinations are necessary for persons who have been diagnosed with diabetes, but they do not screen for the disease or prevent it. Similarly, blood glucose checks do not prevent the diabetes.