A community health nurse is developing a brochure about hypertension.
Which of the following actions is the bestfor the nurse to take?

Choice A rationale:

"Prednisone can cause blood glucose levels to increase." Rationale: This statement is accurate. Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication known to cause hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) as a side effect. It is important for the nurse to monitor the client's blood glucose levels while they are taking prednisone, especially if the client has preexisting diabetes or risk factors for diabetes.

Choice B rationale:

"Older adults are at risk for developing type 1 diabetes mellitus." Rationale: This statement is incorrect. Type 1 diabetes mellitus typically develops in childhood or early adulthood and is characterized by autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Older adults are more at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, which is different from type 1 diabetes in terms of its etiology and pathophysiology.

Choice C rationale:

"Having COPD causes blood glucose levels to fluctuate." Rationale: This statement is not accurate. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) primarily affects the respiratory system and does not directly cause blood glucose level fluctuations. Blood glucose levels can be affected indirectly in some cases due to factors like medications or stress associated with the illness, but it is not a direct result of COPD.

Choice D rationale:

"Albuterol treatments can cause blood glucose levels to decrease." Rationale: This statement is not a typical effect of albuterol treatments. Albuterol is a bronchodilator commonly used to treat respiratory conditions like COPD and asthma. It is not known to cause significant decreases in blood glucose levels.

The correct answer is Choice C.

Choice A rationale: Quoting client comments when documenting provides accurate and direct information. It ensures the client's exact words are recorded, which is important for clear communication among healthcare providers and for legal documentation.

Choice B rationale: Documenting medication administration should occur immediately after giving the dose, not prior. This ensures accuracy and prevents potential errors or omissions, maintaining the integrity and safety of the client's medical record.

Choice C rationale: Documenting information telephoned in by a nurse who left the unit ensures continuity of care. It accurately records details that may be critical to the client's treatment and care plan, ensuring that all healthcare providers have up-to-date information.

Choice D rationale: Limiting documentation to subjective information is not sufficient. Comprehensive documentation should include both subjective (client's statements) and objective (measurable data) information to provide a complete and accurate picture of the client's condition and care.