Choice A rationale

Acarbose and repaglinide are medications used to manage blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Acarbose slows the digestion of carbohydrates in the gut, which helps to prevent spikes in blood glucose after meals. Repaglinide stimulates the pancreas to release more insulin. Both of these medications can cause hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.

Therefore, carrying glucose tablets or gels is a good practice because they can quickly raise blood sugar levels during an episode of hypoglycemia.

Choice B rationale

Taking these medications on an empty stomach is not recommended. Acarbose should be taken with the first bite of each main meal. Repaglinide should be taken within 30 minutes before meals. Therefore, this statement does not indicate effective teaching.

Choice C rationale

Drinking orange soda to treat symptoms of hypoglycemia is not the best choice. While orange soda can increase blood sugar levels, it also contains other ingredients, like caffeine, that are not beneficial for people with diabetes. Glucose tablets or gels are a better option because they provide a fast-acting source of glucose and are easy to dose.

Choice D rationale

This statement is incorrect. While repaglinide does stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin, it does not mean that the person has to start taking insulin shots. Acarbose works by slowing the digestion of carbohydrates in the gut, not by affecting insulin release. Therefore, this statement does not indicate effective teaching.

Choice A rationale

Dark urine can be a sign of liver dysfunction, which can be a side effect of glipizide. Therefore, reviewing the results of liver function studies would be an appropriate initial action to determine if the medication is affecting the client’s liver function.

Choice B rationale

While increasing water intake can sometimes help with certain side effects of medications, it would not address the potential issue of liver dysfunction indicated by the dark urine.

Choice C rationale

Checking the client’s weight would not provide information related to the cause of the dark urine.

Choice D rationale

Testing a sample of urine for the presence of occult blood could be useful if there was a suspicion of bleeding, but it would not address the potential issue of liver dysfunction indicated by the dark urine.