A nurse in a provider's office is preparing to teach a middle adult client who has a new diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and an HbA1c of 6.5%. Which of the following medications should the nurse plan to teach the client about first?
Regular insulin
Exenatide
Insulin glargine
Metformin
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason:
Regular insulin is incorrect. Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin used for managing diabetes, particularly for controlling blood sugar levels during meals. However, it's not typically the initial medication introduced in the management of metabolic syndrome with an HbA1c of 6.5%. Insulin therapy is generally considered when other medications or lifestyle changes aren't effective in controlling blood sugar levels.
Choice B Reason:
Exenatide is incorrect. Exenatide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, used to manage type 2 diabetes. While it's effective in controlling blood sugar levels, it's often considered after initial treatments like metformin, especially in newly diagnosed cases or those with moderately elevated HbA1c levels.
Choice C Reason:
Insulin glargine is incorrect. Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin used in diabetes management, providing a steady level of insulin throughout the day. Like regular insulin, insulin glargine is typically considered later in the treatment plan and is not usually the first medication introduced in cases of new metabolic syndrome diagnoses with moderately elevated HbA1c levels.
Choice D Reason:
Considering the client's new diagnosis and moderately elevated HbA1c level, educating about metformin aligns with the typical first-line approach in managing blood sugar levels and metabolic syndrome in this scenario.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Hypomagnesemia is incorrect. Lithium therapy itself is not a direct cause of hypomagnesemia. While exercise can affect magnesium levels to some extent, it's not a primary electrolyte imbalance that is typically associated with lithium use or considered a significant concern specifically due to lithium.
Choice B Reason:
Hypocalcemia is incorrect. Similarly, lithium therapy is not a direct cause of hypocalcemia. Exercise can affect calcium metabolism, but it's not a primary electrolyte imbalance typically associated with lithium use or considered a significant concern specifically due to lithium.
When a client taking lithium begins a new exercise program, the nurse should primarily assess for the risk of:
Choice C Reason:
Hyponatremia is correct. Lithium can affect the body's regulation of sodium, and excessive sweating due to increased exercise can lead to sodium loss. This combination can potentially contribute to the development of hyponatremia (low sodium levels). Therefore, when a client on lithium starts a new exercise regimen that may induce sweating, monitoring for signs of hyponatremia becomes crucial. Symptoms of hyponatremia can include confusion, headaches, nausea, and in severe cases, seizures or coma.
Choice D Reason:
Hypokalemia is incorrect. Lithium itself does not commonly cause hypokalemia. Exercise can lead to potassium loss through sweating, but hypokalemia is not the primary electrolyte imbalance typically associated with lithium use or considered a significant concern specifically due to lithium.
Correct Answer is C
No explanation
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