A newly diagnosed diabetic client is 24 hours post-op following abdominal surgery.
The 0700 blood glucose level is 200 mg/dl and the nurse administers 4 units of insulin aspart subcutaneously per the prescribed sliding scale.
When should the nurse first assess the client for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia?
0800
0730
1130
1000
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can occur after insulin administration. However, the onset of hypoglycemia is not immediate. Insulin aspart, a rapid-acting insulin, has a peak action time of approximately 1-3 hours after administration. Therefore, assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia at 0800, one hour after administration, may be too early.
Choice B rationale
Assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia at 0730, 30 minutes after insulin administration, is too early. The peak action time of insulin aspart is approximately 1-3 hours after administration. Therefore, the nurse should start assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia closer to the time of peak action.
Choice C rationale
Assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia at 1130, four and a half hours after insulin administration, may be too late. The peak action time of insulin aspart is approximately 1-3 hours after administration. Therefore, the nurse should start assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia closer to the time of peak action.
Choice D rationale
Assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia at 1000, three hours after insulin administration, is within the peak action time of insulin aspart. Therefore, this is the most appropriate time to start assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Increasing the nighttime insulin glargine dose may exacerbate the Somogyi effect, a phenomenon where the blood sugar level drops too low overnight, causing a rebound high blood sugar level in the morning.
Choice B rationale
Consuming a snack at bedtime can help prevent the blood sugar level from dropping too low overnight, thus preventing the Somogyi effect.
Choice C rationale
Checking the morning cortisol level is not directly related to managing the Somogyi effect.
Choice D rationale
Checking the glucose level at 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. can help identify the Somogyi effect, but it does not prevent it.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Heparin does not actually thin the blood or make it less thick. Instead, it works by increasing the activity of antithrombin, a protein that inhibits blood clotting. This prevents new clots from forming and existing clots from growing larger.
Choice B rationale
Heparin does not dissolve clots or decrease the formation of platelets. Its primary action is to increase the activity of antithrombin, which in turn inactivates thrombin and factor Xa, two key players in the blood clotting process.
Choice C rationale
This statement is accurate. Heparin does not thin the blood; instead, it prevents new clots from forming and existing clots from growing larger. It does this by increasing the activity of antithrombin, which in turn inactivates thrombin and factor Xa.
Choice D rationale
Heparin does not decrease the number of platelets or make the blood flow more easily. Its primary action is to increase the activity of antithrombin, which in turn inactivates thrombin and factor Xa.
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