A nurse is obtaining a medication history from a client who reports taking 1 oz of magnesium hydroxide daily as a laxative. The nurse should identify that this dose equates to how many mL?
(Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Choice A reason: Diet cola PO is not an appropriate recommendation for a client with a blood glucose of 30, because diet cola does not contain any sugar and will not raise the blood glucose level. Moreover, the client is lethargic and unable to follow commands, which means they may have difficulty swallowing and may aspirate the liquid.

Choice B reason: Dextrose 50% IV is a potential recommendation for a client with a blood glucose of 30, because it can rapidly increase the blood glucose level and reverse the symptoms of hypoglycemia. However, the nurse is unable to get an IV line started on the client, which makes this option impossible.

Choice C reason: Glucagon IM is the best recommendation for a client with a blood glucose of 30, because it can stimulate the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream and raise the blood glucose level. Glucagon can be given intramuscularly or subcutaneously, which does not require an IV access. Glucagon is usually given as an emergency treatment for severe hypoglycemia when the client is unconscious or unable to swallow.

Choice D reason: Insulin glargine SQ is not an appropriate recommendation for a client with a blood glucose of 30, because insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin that lowers the blood glucose level. Giving insulin to a client with hypoglycemia can worsen their condition and cause coma or death. ⁹

Choice A reason: This choice is correct because blood glucose is the priority assessment for a client with a prescription for glipizide who is confused, diaphoretic, and tachycardic. Glipizide is a medicine that lowers blood sugar levels in the body. It can cause side effects such as anxiety, diarrhea, nausea, and low blood sugar. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause confusion, sweating, fast heart rate, dizziness, hunger, and seizures. The nurse should check the client's blood glucose level and treat hypoglycemia as soon as possible.

Choice B reason: This choice is incorrect because apical heart rate is not the priority assessment for a client with a prescription for glipizide who is confused, diaphoretic, and tachycardic. Apical heart rate is the number of heartbeats per minute that can be heard at the apex of the heart. It can be affected by many factors, such as age, activity, stress, and medication. Tachycardia is a condition where the heart beats faster than normal, which can be a sign of low blood sugar, dehydration, infection, or heart problems. The nurse should check the apical heart rate after assessing and treating the blood glucose level.

Choice C reason: This choice is incorrect because INR level is not the priority assessment for a client with a prescription for glipizide who is confused, diaphoretic, and tachycardic. INR stands for international normalized ratio, which is a measure of how long it takes the blood to clot. It is used to monitor the effect of anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin, that prevent blood clots. Glipizide does not affect the INR level, and the client's symptoms are not related to bleeding or clotting. The nurse should check the INR level only if the client is taking anticoagulant drugs and has signs of bleeding or clotting.

Choice D reason: This choice is incorrect because the last bowel movement is not the priority assessment for a client with a prescription for glipizide who is confused, diaphoretic, and tachycardic. The last bowel movement is the time and nature of the client's most recent defecation. It can be affected by many factors, such as diet, fluid intake, activity, medication, and bowel habits. Glipizide can cause diarrhea or constipation, which can affect the frequency and consistency of the bowel movement. The nurse should check the last bowel movement after assessing and treating the blood glucose level.