A nurse is assisting in the care of an older adult client who has COPD and is receiving albuterol treatments and 20 mg of prednisone twice daily. The client asks why the nurse is checking his blood glucose level.
Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
Older adults are at risk for developing type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Prednisone can cause blood glucose levels to increase.
Albuterol treatments can cause blood glucose levels to decrease.
Having COPD causes blood glucose levels to fluctuate.
The Correct Answer is B
Prednisone can cause blood glucose levels to increase.
The nurse should explain to the client that the reason for checking his blood glucose level is because prednisone, a medication he is receiving, can cause an increase in blood glucose levels. Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication that is commonly used in the treatment of various conditions, including COPD. It has the potential to raise blood glucose levels by promoting gluconeogenesis (the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources) and decreasing insulin sensitivity. Monitoring blood glucose levels is important to assess and manage any potential hyperglycaemia or changes in the client's blood sugar levels while on prednisone.
Older adults are not at increased risk for developing type 1 diabetes mellitus in (option A) is incorrect. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that typically occurs in childhood or adolescence, and it is characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Albuterol treatments, which are used to relieve bronchospasms in clients with COPD, are not known to cause blood glucose levels to decrease in (option C) is incorrect. Albuterol is a beta-2 adrenergic agonist that primarily acts on the respiratory system and does not have a direct effect on blood glucose levels.
Having COPD does not directly cause blood glucose levels to fluctuate in (option D) is incorrect. While there can be various factors that may indirectly affect blood glucose levels in individuals with COPD (e.g., medications, stress, comorbidities), the primary reason for monitoring blood glucose in this case is the use of prednisone.
In summary, the nurse should explain to the client that the blood glucose levels are being checked because prednisone, a medication he is taking for his COPD, can cause an increase in blood glucose levels. This allows for appropriate monitoring and management of any potential hyperglycemia associated with the use of prednisone.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Monitoring the infant's lymphocyte count is important in evaluating the immune function of the infant. HIV primarily affects the immune system, including lymphocytes. Monitoring the lymphocyte count helps assess the progression of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment.
Exchange transfusions are not typically used in the management of HIV. They are primarily performed in conditions like severe neonatal jaundice or blood disorders, but not for the treatment of HIV.
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a medication used to stimulate the production of white blood cells called granulocytes. While G-CSF can be used in certain situations, such as to counteract the side effects of certain chemotherapy drugs, it is not a standard treatment for HIV in infants.
Droplet precautions are typically implemented for infectious diseases that spread through respiratory droplets, such as influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). HIV does not spread through respiratory droplets, so initiating droplet precautions would not be necessary in the care of an infant with HIV.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The nurse should describe hyperactive bowel sounds as sounds that are loud, high-pitched, and increased in frequency and intensity. They are more frequent than the normal bowel sounds, with a rapid succession of sounds occurring at a rate greater than 5 to 30 sounds per minute.
Hyperactive bowel sounds can be heard in conditions such as gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and early mechanical bowel obstruction. They indicate increased bowel motility and are often associated with increased peristalsis.
To differentiate hyperactive bowel sounds from normal or hypoactive bowel sounds, the nurse can explain that hypoactive bowel sounds are decreased or absent sounds that occur when the bowel motility is decreased, such as in conditions like paralytic ileus or after abdominal surgery. Normal bowel sounds are typically soft, low-pitched, and occur at a rate of 5 to 30 sounds per minute.
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