A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who has a long history of diabetes mellitus and is being admitted to the emergency department confused, flushed, and with an acetone odor on the breath. Diabetic ketoacidosis is suspected. The nurse should anticipate using which of the following types of insulin to treat this client?
NPH insulin
Insulin glargine
Insulin detemir
Regular Insulin
The Correct Answer is D
A. NPH insulin: NPH insulin, also known as Neutral Protamine Hagedorn, is an intermediate acting insulin. It has a slower onset of action and a longer duration compared to regular insulin. It is not the best choice for treating diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) because it does not act quickly enough to lower dangerously high blood glucose levels in this acute situation.
B. Insulin glargine: Insulin glargine is a long-acting basal insulin. It has a slow, steady release and provides a consistent level of insulin over an extended period. Like NPH insulin, it is not suitable for rapidly lowering blood glucose levels in a DKA emergency.
C. Insulin detemir: Insulin detemir is another long-acting basal insulin similar to glargine. It has a slow onset and provides a sustained release of insulin. It is not the first-line choice for treating DKA due to its slower action.
D. Regular Insulin: Regular insulin, also known as short-acting or fast-acting insulin, has a rapid onset of action. When administered intravenously, it can quickly lower blood glucose levels. This makes it the preferred choice for treating diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) where prompt action is essential to correct the severe hyperglycemia and associated metabolic imbalances.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Have an eye examination once per year - Regular eye examinations are crucial for detecting and managing retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes.
B. Examine your feet carefully every day - Daily foot examinations are essential to detect any early signs of foot problems, which is particularly important in preventing complications like nephropathy.
C. Wear compression stockings - Compression stockings are not directly related to preventing retinopathy and nephropathy in diabetes. They are more commonly used to improve blood flow in the legs.
D. "Maintain stable blood glucose levels" - While maintaining stable blood glucose levels is important for overall diabetes management, it is not specific to preventing retinopathy and nephropathy. It is a general principle for managing diabetes.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Incorrect. Palpitations, which are rapid or irregular heartbeats, are more commonly associated with hyperthyroidism, where there is an excess of thyroid hormones.
B. Incorrect. Diaphoresis, or excessive sweating, is not typically associated with hypothyroidism.
C. Incorrect. Exophthalmos, or bulging of the eyes, is a characteristic finding in hyperthyroidism (specifically Graves' disease) and is not typically seen in hypothyroidism.
D. Correct. Weight gain is a common finding in hypothyroidism. The slowing down of metabolic processes due to insufficient thyroid hormones can lead to an increase in body weight.
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