A hospitalized patient who is diabetic received 38 U of NPH insulin at 7:00 AM. At 1:00 PM, the patient was away from the nursing unit for 2 hours, missing the lunch delivery while awaiting a chest x-ray.
What is the best action by the nurse to prevent hypoglycemia?
Request that if testing is further delayed, the patient will eat lunch first.
Send a glass of orange juice to the patient in the diagnostic testing area.
Save the lunch tray for the patient's later return.
Plan to discontinue the evening dose of insulin.
The Correct Answer is B
The patient received 38 U of NPH insulin at 7:00 AM, and by 1:00 PM, the insulin has been active for approximately 6 hours. The patient has missed lunch, which may lead to hypoglycemia, especially with the activity of the insulin.
Sending a glass of orange juice will provide the patient with a quick source of glucose to prevent hypoglycemia. If testing is further delayed, the nurse may request that the patient be allowed to eat lunch first or save the lunch tray for later, but immediate intervention is necessary to prevent hypoglycemia. Discontinuing the evening dose of insulin is not an appropriate action and should not be considered without consulting the healthcare provider.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The patient's vital signs suggest that she is experiencing hypotension, tachycardia, and possibly dehydration due to acute adrenal insufficiency. The highest priority nursing intervention for this patient is to provide isotonic fluids to restore intravascular volume and blood pressure. This will also help to correct any electrolyte imbalances that may be present. Administering furosemide (Lasix) or replacing potassium losses may be necessary interventions, but they are not the highest priority at this time. Restricting sodium would be contraindicated in this situation as the patient is hypotensive and needs fluids to increase intravascular volume.
Correct Answer is ["B","E","F"]
Explanation
The other options are not typically used in the treatment of thyroid storm. Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used for hypertension and congestive heart failure, amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic drug used for cardiac arrhythmias, and aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for pain relief and fever reduction.
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