A client receives a daily injection of glargine insulin at 7:00 a.m. When should the nurse monitor this client for a hypoglycemic reaction?
This insulin has no peak action and does not cause a hypoglycemic reaction.
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 client with diabetes mellitus is receiving an oral antidiabetic agent. The nurse observes for which condition when caring for this client?
Hypoglycemia
A nurse is teaching a client with diabetes mellitus about self-management of their condition. The nurse should instruct the client to administer 1 unit of insulin for every:
15 g of carbohydrates.
A client with a 30-year history of type 2 diabetes is having an annual physical and blood work. Which test result would the health care provider be most concerned with when monitoring the client’s treatment compliance?
glycosylated hemoglobin
Once a client with diabetes receives a treatment regimen to follow, the health care provider can assess the effectiveness of treatment and the client’s compliance by obtaining a hemoglobin A1c test. The results of this test reflect the amount of glucose that is stored in the hemoglobin molecule during its life span of 120 days. Normally, the level of glycosylated hemoglobin is less than 7%. Amounts of 8% or greater indicate that control of the client’s blood glucose level has been inadequate during the previous 2 to 3 months.
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
A nurse educates a group of clients with diabetes mellitus on the prevention of diabetic nephropathy. Which of the following suggestions would be most important?
Control blood glucose levels.
Controlling blood glucose levels and any hypertension can prevent or delay the development of diabetic nephropathy. Drinking plenty of fluids does not prevent diabetic nephropathy. Taking antidiabetic drugs regularly may help to control blood glucose levels, but it is the control of these levels that is most important. A high-fiber diet is unrelated to the development of diabetic nephropathy.
A client is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Which assessment finding best supports a nursing diagnosis of Ineffective coping related to diabetes mellitus?
Crying whenever diabetes is mentioned
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 health care provider suspects that the client has diabetes. Which classic symptom should the nurse watch for to confirm the diagnosis of diabetes?
Increased hunger
The classic symptoms of diabetes are the three Ps: polyuria (increased urination), polydipsia (increased thirst), and polyphagia (increased hunger). Some of the other symptoms include tingling, numbness, and loss of sensation in the extremities and fatigue.
A client with type 1 diabetes asks the nurse about taking an oral antidiabetic agent. The nurse explains that these medications are effective only if the client:
has type 2 diabetes.
