A client with type I diabetes mellitus has been prescribed a glucagon emergency kit for home use. When should the nurse instruct the client and family to administer glucagon?

Choice A rationale

While it is important to assess for hypoglycemia between meals when a client is receiving insulin lispro, this is not the most important intervention. Hypoglycemia is a potential side effect of all insulins, but the timing of the hypoglycemia is often related to the timing of the insulin dose and meals.

Choice B rationale

Checking blood glucose levels every six hours is a part of diabetes management. However, this is not the most important intervention for a client who is receiving insulin lispro. The timing of blood glucose checks should be individualized based on the client’s needs and the type of insulin they are receiving.

Choice C rationale

Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin that begins to work very quickly. For this reason, it should be given at the same time as meals. This is the most important intervention for a client who is receiving insulin lispro.

Choice D rationale

Keeping an oral liquid or glucose source available is important for all clients with diabetes to treat potential hypoglycemia. However, this is not the most important intervention for a client who is receiving insulin lispro.

Choice A rationale

Administering glucagon prior to meals to prevent hyperglycemia is not a recommended use of a glucagon emergency kit. Glucagon is a hormone that raises blood glucose levels by causing the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream. It is typically used to treat severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), not to prevent hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

Choice B rationale

The nurse should instruct the client and family to administer glucagon when symptoms of severe hypoglycemia are present. Severe hypoglycemia is a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause symptoms such as confusion, blurred vision, seizures, and loss of consciousness. In such cases, glucagon can be administered to quickly raise the blood glucose level.

Choice C rationale

Administering glucagon when the client is unable to eat during sick days is not a recommended use of a glucagon emergency kit. While it’s true that illness can affect blood glucose levels,

glucagon is specifically used to treat severe hypoglycemia. Other strategies, such as adjusting insulin doses or consuming liquid or soft carbohydrates, are typically recommended when a person with diabetes is sick and unable to eat their usual meals.

Choice D rationale

Administering glucagon at the onset of symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis is not a recommended use of a glucagon emergency kit. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when the body starts breaking down fat at a rate that is much too fast. The liver processes the fat into a fuel called ketones, which causes the blood to become acidic. Glucagon would not be effective in treating this condition.