Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Insulin and antidiabetics
NCLEX: A client with type 1 diabetes has blood glucose 58 mg/dL, diaphoresis, and confusion. What is the priority nursin…
Pharmacology Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Case Study
A client with type 1 diabetes has blood glucose 58 mg/dL, diaphoresis, and confusion. What is the priority nursing action?
Question
A. Give a fast-acting carbohydrate per protocol and recheck glucose.
B. Administer the scheduled long-acting insulin immediately.
C. Restrict fluids until the provider is available.
D. Encourage exercise to raise glucose quickly.
B. Administer the scheduled long-acting insulin immediately.
C. Restrict fluids until the provider is available.
D. Encourage exercise to raise glucose quickly.
Rationale
Correct answer: A. Give a fast-acting carbohydrate per protocol and recheck glucose.
Rationale: Hypoglycemia with neuroglycopenic symptoms is treated promptly with carbohydrate; insulin would worsen hypoglycemia.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: Hypoglycemia with neuroglycopenic symptoms is treated promptly with carbohydrate; insulin would worsen hypoglycemia.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.